As part of a massive crackdown on Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, security forces have launched what is being described as the biggest counter-terrorism operation of a decade in Jammu and Kashmir. The coordinated operation, covering more than 60 districts, targets more than 100 locations linked to militants and their local supporters, who are believed to be operating under the influence of operatives in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
In today’s episode of DNA, Rahul Sinha, Editor-in-Chief, Zee News, provides a detailed analysis of this massive counter-terrorism campaign and its far-reaching implications for peace and security in the Valley.
The largest operations were carried out in Ganderbal district, where raids took place at 59 locations linked to 76 individuals suspected of having links with terrorists. Similar searches were conducted in Srinagar, Kulgam, Shopian, Budgam and Kupwara. The Jammu and Kashmir Police, with the support of national intelligence agencies, conducted these simultaneous raids. A cordon and search operation (CASO) has been launched in several areas to identify hidden terrorist operatives and arms caches.
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Earlier, a similar exercise was conducted in Rajouri district of Jammu state. Officials said the broader aim was to disrupt the financial and logistical networks of militants who have long controlled propaganda and recruitment from PoK, driving Kashmiri youth to extremism.
Among the targets of the attack are Fayaz Ahmed Khan, a Hizbul Mujahideen operative who has faced numerous charges since 2021; Farooq Ahmed Rather, also from Ganderbal and now in Pok; Mohammad Yusuf Naeem, a former Hurriyat member who crossed over to Pakistan for arms training; and Abid Ramzan Sheikh, a Shapiya resident and commander of the Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba.
The raids also led to the filing of cases against relatives and ground workers (OGWs) who help these terrorists. Security officials seized a large amount of literature and communications related to terrorism.
Search operations in prisons
The crackdown spread to Srinagar and Kupwara jails, where the counter-intelligence team conducted surprise raids to identify and dismantle terrorist communication networks. Officials scrutinized the activities of prisoners with extremist links and investigated how incarcerated militants maintained contact with staff across the border.
Former jail inmates include notorious figures such as Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Maulana Masood Azhar and stoning mastermind Ashiq Hussain Fakhtu, fueling suspicions that the jails have become operational hubs for militant coordination. The latest raids aim to dismantle such internal networks for good.
The Army is preventing infiltration across the LoC
While operations continued in the valley, the Indian Army made significant progress along the Line of Control (LoC) in Keran sector of Kupwara, where two infiltrators were killed in an encounter. The search for other members of the group continues as part of Operation Navel, a name for the landmark anti-terror campaign launched in November 2017.
The initial Operation Eel destroyed the Hizbul Mujahideen command structure, neutralizing top terrorists including Abdul Qayyum Nazar, Mufti Waqas, Sameer Tiger and Saddam Padder. After this offensive, Hizbul is struggling to regain its leadership in Kashmir.
After eliminating most of the top commanders, the focus shifted to underground supporters and sympathizers who facilitate the logistics of terrorism. The aim, officials said, is to deal a decisive blow to the remaining militant structures and restore the valley’s identity as a “paradise on earth”.
New developments: the doctor was arrested with an AK-47
In this regard, police recovered an AK-47 rifle from a locker belonging to Dr. Adil Ahmed, a doctor from Anantnag, who was recently arrested in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh. Investigators are looking into whether the weapon was used in any attack or intended for militants.
Dr. Ahmed came under scrutiny after Jaish-e-Mohammed posters appeared in Srinagar on October 28. CCTV footage shows him putting up posters, which led to his arrest. Since then, his case has taken a darker turn with the discovery of the machine gun, revealing a disturbing connection between the Valley’s terrorist network and civilian operatives.
The ongoing operations represent a major escalation in India’s counter-terrorism efforts, a strategic effort to eliminate not only active militant groups but also the deep-rooted support structures that support them in Jammu and Kashmir.
