JAMMU: .In one of the largest coordinated operations in recent months, the police detained more than 100 people across the Union Territory of J&K as part of a sweeping crackdown to dismantle network of terrorists, the officials said on November 9.
The raids, conducted over the past two days in multiple districts of both the Kashmir Valley and Jammu province, targeted individuals suspected of being terrorist sympathisers, relatives of terrorists based in Pakistan or Pakistan Occupied Jammu Kashmir (POJK) and former overground workers (OGWs), sources in the police said.
In Jammu’s Kathua district, two Special Police Officers (SPOs) were dismissed from service for alleged terrorist links. Raids were also carried out in four more districts, Ramban, Doda, Rajouri and Kishtwar. In many raids, the police inspected SIM card vendors to trace supplies potentially reaching anti-national elements.
In south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, police searched the houses of Pakistan-based militants, including top Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) commander Ghulam Nabi Khan alias Amir Khan. “Acting on credible intelligence inputs, police and security agencies conducted coordinated cordon and search operations at various locations suspected to be used for sheltering and aiding terrorists,” the police said in an official statement.
The operation, according to police, was aimed at “disrupting the terror support infrastructure,” which includes networks providing logistical, financial, and ideological assistance to terrorists and their handlers across the border. The pre-emptive raids were intended to prevent any regrouping of terrorists and to maintain peace in the region. “By dismantling their support network, we are hitting at their foundations,” a senior police officer said.
Those detained include individuals with prior involvement in terrorism, sympathisers and relatives of active or Pakistan-based terrorists, some of whom are out on bail under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The police teams seized digital devices and other materials suspected to have been used for aiding terrorists, though Anantnag police said no illicit or incriminating items were recovered during their searches.
The J&K Police reiterated their commitment to taking stern action against individuals or groups involved in activities “detrimental to national security and public peace.”
Meanwhile, in a major success, the police have busted an inter-state and trans-national terror module, linked with proscribed terrorist organisations Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGuH). The operation has led to the arrest of key operatives and recovery of a massive cache of arms, ammunition and explosives, during coordinated searches in J&K and other states.
In a press release, the police said that last month, multiple JeM posters were found pasted at different locations in Bunpora Nowgam, Srinagar threatening and intimidating Police and Security Forces. Accordingly, FIR No. 162/2025 U/S 13, 16, 17, 18. 18-B, 19, 20, 23, 39 &40 of the UAPA Act, section 61 (2), 147, 148, 152, 351(2) BNS, section 4/5 Explosive Substance Act and 7/25/27 Arms Act was registered, at Police Station Nowgam, Srinagar and investigation taken up. The investigation has revealed a white-collar terror ecosystem, involving radicalized professionals and students in contact with foreign handlers, operating from Pakistan and other countries.
The group has been using encrypted channels, for indoctrination, coordination, fund movement and logistics. Funds were raised through professional and academic networks, under the guise of social/charitable 2 causes. The accused were found involved in identifying persons, to radicalise, initiate and recruit them to terrorist ranks, besides raising funds, arranging logistics, procurement of arms/ammunition and material for preparing IEDs.
During the course of investigation, the following accused were arrested Arif Nisar Dar @ Sahil r/o Nowgam, Srinagar, Yasir-ul-Ashraf r/o Nowgam, Srinagar, Maqsood Ahmad Dar @ Shahid r/o Nowgam, Srinagar, Molvi Irfan Ahmad (Imam of Masjid) r/o Shopian, Zameer Ahmad Ahanger @ Mutlasha, r/o Wakura Ganderbal, Dr. Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie @ Musaib r/o Koil, Pulwama and Dr. Adeel r/o Wanpora, Kulgam
Besides, the role of a few more individuals has surfaced who will be traced and apprehended. During the ongoing investigation, searches were conducted at multiple locations, by J&K Police, in Srinagar, Anantnag, Ganderbal and Shopian. Similarly, J&K Police, also, conducted searches at Faridabad, in tandem with Haryana Police and at Saharanpur, with UP Police.
The investigation, so far, has led to the recovery of incriminating documents, electronic devices, arms/ammunition and IED making material. Following recoveries have been effected
i. One Chinese Star Pistol (along with ammunition)
ii. One Beretta Pistol (along with ammunition)
iii. One AK 56 Rifle (along with ammunition)
iv. One AK 47 Rifle (along with ammunition)
v. 2,900 kg of IED making material (including explosives, chemicals, reagents, inflammable material, electronic circuits, batteries, wires, remote control, timers and metal sheets etc)
Financial investigation, regarding flow of funds, is on and all linkages are being traced and addressed expeditiously. This investigation is a testimony to the diligent efforts and unflagging determination of the concerned team. J&K Police remain steadfast and committed to stamp out the scourge of terrorism, reads the statement.
