Over ground workers (OGWs), according to Indian security forces, are people who help militants, or terrorists, with logistical support, cash, shelter, and other infrastructure with which armed groups and insurgency movements such as Hizbul Mujaheddin and Jaish-e-Muhammad in Jammu and Kashmir can operate.
An over ground worker (OGW), to the Indian security forces, is an individual who helps militants/terrorists with logistical support, cash, shelter, and other infrastructure with which armed groups and insurgency movements in the region operate.
But, a hardcore OGW lives supporting the gun and finally dies wielding it.There is also a sense of confusion and ambiguity surrounding the term.
[9] Apart from providing logistical support and "act[ing] as the eyes and ears of the underground militants",[8] OGWs have diversified into numerous other roles.
[11] Following the revocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, OGWs forced shops to close using violence and attacked civilians, resulting in deaths.
Lt Gen K K Khanna writes:[13] Over ground workers often lodge false allegation against the security forces to enforce caution and keep units busy in infructuous investigations.
NGOs, state human right organizations, local press, and opposition leaders are used to check exuberance of the security forces.
Politicians organize mass agitations […]OGWs provide real-time information to the terrorist elements or militant groups to carry out tactical operations.
Potential recruits includes those who have had the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act slapped on them or those who have spent time in jail with experienced militants.
[16] In December 2018, Mudasir Rashid Parray, a 15-year-old, was killed in a gunfight with security forces that lasted for 16 hours in Mujgund area of Srinagar.
6) OGWs generating negative Perceptions and Sentiment amongst the Awaam (OGWPS).The presence of over ground workers remains an obstacle to peace in the region.
[24] During the aftermath of the revocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, connectivity was suspended, and as a result it was found that OGWs had been forced to operate from Chandigarh.