Major Crackdown on Terrorism in Kulgam and Shopian; Over 200 Locations Raided

Srinagar (The Uttam Hindu): Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir intensified their anti-terror operations on Wednesday with massive search drives conducted in Kulgam and Shopian districts. The raids aimed to trace suspicious activities linked to relatives of Jammu and Kashmir natives operating from Pakistan, gather intelligence on potential threats, and tighten security in sensitive areas.

In Kulgam, the crackdown targeted the banned organization Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI). Police conducted searches at more than 200 JeI-linked locations across the district, inspecting several houses for possible links to anti-national activities. Similarly, in Shopian, police launched an extensive operation against Jamaat-e-Islami members and Over Ground Workers (OGWs), focusing on individuals suspected of aiding subversive movements. The police stated that the objective was to curb destructive and anti-national operations in the region.

Earlier in the day, hundreds of vehicles were fined during a district-wide checking drive in Shopian. Police posted on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) that “searches and vehicle inspections have been intensified across the district to curb anti-national activities. Hundreds of violators and vehicle owners failing to transfer ownership have been penalized.”

In recent days, similar large-scale operations were carried out in Ramban and Bandipora to dismantle terrorist networks. The Bandipora police targeted residents of Jammu and Kashmir with links to Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), focusing on dismantling networks involved in terror financing and subversive plots. Officials also verified SIM card vendors to prevent misuse and directed them to adhere strictly to KYC norms and maintain accurate customer records.

In Ramban, joint teams of police, army, CRPF, and SOG units, assisted by duty magistrates, carried out raids in multiple sensitive locations. These operations involved thorough inspections of the homes of suspected OGWs, terrorist associates, and relatives of known militants to ensure no illegal or anti-national activities were being facilitated in the area.