1,500 picked up as raids to dismantle terror network continue in Kashmir

In one of the largest security crackdowns in recent months, the Jammu and Kashmir Police have picked up around 1,500 individuals across the Valley for questioning over the past two days as part of a coordinated effort to “dismantle the terrorist support network,” officials said on Sunday.

According to officials, the latest round of action is aimed at neutralising those allegedly involved in sustaining or facilitating the “terror ecosystem” in the region. “Around 1,500 people have been picked up during raids and cordon-and-search operations (CASOs) across several districts since Saturday,” a senior police officer told The Tribune.

Those picked up include suspected overground workers (OGWs), sympathisers, and associates of militants, including relatives of individuals believed to be operating from across the border. The ongoing measures form part of what police described as ‘non-kinetic’ operations intended to prevent any attempts to disturb the prevailing peace in the Union Territory.

Police sources said the crackdown is being carried out simultaneously in all police zones. In north Kashmir, Baramulla Police said they launched a “series of synchronised operations aimed at dismantling the terror support network and reinforcing public security.”

“The ongoing drive is part of sustained efforts to choke the ecosystem aiding anti-national elements and preserve the district’s hard-earned peace,” Baramulla Police said in a statement.

Officials added that 16 properties linked with Pakistan or Pakistan-occupied Kashmir-based Kashmiri natives were searched in Baramulla, leading to 10 individuals being bound down under preventive laws. Additionally, 32 cordon-and-search operations were carried out in different parts of the district.

In South Kashmir, police in Awantipora conducted extensive CASOs at multiple locations, including the residences of recently killed militants and their associates.

“The operations are part of sustained efforts to dismantle the terror ecosystem, identify and act against both active and inactive associates, and eliminate remaining support structures aiding terrorism,” police said.

Similar operations have been reported from Anantnag, Shopian, and other southern districts.

In Central Kashmir’s Budgam district, police said they carried out a crackdown on the separatist network of Ghulam Nabi Fai, a native of Wadwan Budgam currently residing in the United States. Multiple houses were searched, and several individuals were detained for questioning.

Meanwhile, the Sopore Police said they are moving court to cancel the bail of 11 individuals booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) after finding them in violation of bail conditions. Similar actions, police said, are being initiated in other districts as well.

In addition to the raids, the police have launched special inspections of SIM card vendors across Shopian, Pulwama, Anantnag, Sopore, Awantipora, and Handwara, in a bid to strengthen internal security and prevent misuse of communication networks.

On Sunday, the Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) wing of the J&K Police also conducted coordinated raids in several parts of the Valley, detaining nine suspects for questioning.