Sajid Raina
Srinagar, Nov 8: Police on Saturday launched coordinated operations across Kashmir targeting networks linked to individuals operating from Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
A top official said that the drive is aimed at dismantling local support structures, tracing financial and communication linkages, and seizing materials used to aid cross-border activities.
He said the campaign seeks to disrupt coordination between handlers across the border and their contacts in the valley.
In Bandipora, police launched a crackdown on J&K Nationals Operating from Pakistan (JKNOP) and PoK.
Acting on specific intelligence inputs, multiple Cordon and Search Operations (CASOs) were carried out across the district, targeting individuals involved in facilitating, funding, and promoting terrorism on behalf of relatives based across the border, the official said.
He said several associates and relatives of JKNOP members were booked under relevant laws for alleged involvement in providing logistical support and aiding recruitment. “Digital devices and other materials were seized during the raids,” he added.
Police said operations to dismantle such networks would continue and urged residents to report suspicious activity, assuring confidentiality.
In Ganderbal, police conducted multiple search operations at 60 locations based on credible inputs about individuals in contact with relatives across the border. Several people were questioned, and electronic devices and documents were seized.
Police said the operation was part of continuing efforts to counter cross-border coordination and local facilitation.
Kulgam Police carried out similar operations across the district, acting on intelligence about networks linked to JKNOP operatives. Several overground workers and relatives of individuals based in Pakistan were booked for alleged involvement in providing assistance and support, the official said.
In Anantnag, police conducted searches at the residences of JKNOP members Zaffer Bhat alias Khurshid and Ghulam Nabi Khan alias Amir Khan in village Liver. Officials said the searches were carried out as part of ongoing efforts to counter anti-national activities and were conducted under due legal authorisation.
Pulwama Police carried out coordinated searches across the district targeting individuals associated with JKNOP. Residences of overground workers and persons earlier booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) were searched. Officials said the operations were conducted in the presence of family members and concluded peacefully, with no recoveries made.
In Shopian, police conducted searches at several locations, including the residences of individuals associated with operatives currently based in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Officials said the aim was to recover materials and devices used to support such activities.
Sopore Police also launched searches and detained several suspected overground workers and sympathisers for questioning to trace their communication and financial links with handlers across the border.
Some suspects were booked under preventive detention laws, while proceedings were initiated against others. Police said the operations will continue across the valley in coordination with other security agencies to prevent cross-border facilitation and maintain peace in the region.
