➡️Movement data for LeT/JeM elements (2024–2025) was spatially overlaid on NASA VIIRS NTL (Nighttime Lights) radiance grids.
➡️NTL intensity was used as a proxy for population density, infrastructural activity, and civilian presence.
➡️Patterns were examined across urban centers, peri-urban zones, rural settlements, forested areas, and high-altitude hinterlands.

~75% of observed insurgent movement occurs in low radiance zones, which correlate with:

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Sparse or negligible human habitation.

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Limited infrastructure

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Forested or mountainous terrain

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The remaining ~25% tracks along:

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Peripheral villages

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Semi-urban transit corridors

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Areas with intermittent civilian activity

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Notably, high-radiance urban cores show minimal to no insurgent presence, suggesting deliberate route selection to avoid exposure.

The avoidance of cities reflects high perceived risk due to:

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Concentration of security forces

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Surveillance density

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Lower likelihood of covert support networks

Reliance on hinterland routes highlights:

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Use of terrain masking

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Need for low-signature mobility

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Dependence on natural cover for logistics, communication, and evasion.

Pattern indicates operational decentralization, consistent with groups facing attrition pressures and diminished local facilitation networks.