Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir ramped up their anti-terror operations over the weekend, launching a sweeping series of raids and search operations targeting suspected terror operatives and their support networks across both the Jammu and Kashmir regions. These efforts, which unfolded over November 8 and 9, 2025, mark one of the most extensive security crackdowns in recent months, as authorities seek to disrupt terror networks believed to be operating from Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
According to multiple reports from PTI and ETV Bharat, the Jammu and Kashmir Police, working in close coordination with the Army, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Special Operations Group (SOG) units, and duty magistrates, conducted massive cordon and search operations at dozens of locations. Districts affected included Ramban, Kishtwar, Doda, Kathua, Reasi, Poonch, and Rajouri in Jammu, as well as Pulwama, Shopian, Srinagar, Baramulla, and Kulgam in Kashmir.
These operations come on the heels of the recent Pahalgam terror attack, which has left the region on high alert. Officials said the heightened vigilance is aimed at preempting further attacks and rooting out both local terrorists and their overground workers (OGWs)—a term used for civilian supporters who provide logistical or intelligence support to militants.
"The operations were carried out in a well-coordinated manner under the close supervision of Ramban Senior Superintendent of Police Arun Gupta," a police spokesperson told PTI. The focus, he said, was on tracing the suspicious activities of relatives and known associates of Jammu and Kashmir natives currently operating from Pakistan, as well as verifying the antecedents of other suspected individuals. The goal: to tighten security around vulnerable areas and ensure no anti-national or unlawful activities were being carried out or supported.
On Saturday, November 8, scores of suspected persons were called for questioning in Doda district as part of the ongoing anti-terrorist operation. The following day, the efforts intensified, with police and security forces fanning out across both regions. In Ramban district, for instance, joint teams searched multiple locations in Banihal and Gool, inspecting houses of relatives and associates of active Jammu and Kashmir-based terrorists believed to be operating from Pakistan.
Intelligence reports, cited by ETV Bharat, suggested that terrorists who had been operating in the higher reaches of the region were now seeking safe hideouts in the plains as winter approaches. This seasonal migration prompted authorities to act swiftly, hoping to intercept militants before they could establish new bases or support networks.
During the searches, police seized several mobile phones and other digital devices, which they say could provide evidence of anti-national activities. In Kishtwar, raids were conducted at multiple locations, including 25 houses across Doda district, each belonging to families with at least one member currently in PoK. All seized devices are expected to undergo forensic analysis as part of the ongoing investigations.
The crackdown was not limited to physical raids. In Kashmir, the Counter-Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) wing of the Jammu and Kashmir Police conducted targeted operations in Pulwama, Shopian, Srinagar, Baramulla, and Kulgam. The focus here was the alleged misuse of social media platforms to promote anti-national activities and coordinate with terror handlers across the border. According to official sources quoted by ETV Bharat, CIK teams searched several residential houses and seized gadgets, including mobile phones and laptops, suspected of being used to spread hateful and unlawful content online.
While some reports indicated that individuals were detained for questioning during these raids, there has yet to be official confirmation of arrests or charges. However, the police have made it clear that these actions are part of a larger, intelligence-based preventive strategy designed to "ensure that peace and stability in the region remain undisturbed," as a spokesperson explained.
Throughout the operations, authorities emphasized their commitment to minimizing disruption for ordinary citizens. "The operations were carried out in an organised manner without causing any inconvenience to the general public," the police spokesperson said. Joint teams of law enforcement and military personnel, accompanied by duty magistrates, ensured that sensitive localities were covered thoroughly and that the rights of residents were respected during the searches.
Officials also appealed to the public for cooperation, urging residents to share any information about suspicious movements or persons in their areas. "Police remain committed to neutralising any anti-national network and ensuring the safety of all citizens," the spokesperson told PTI, adding that the identity of informants would be kept strictly confidential.
This multi-pronged crackdown comes at a time when security agencies have been warning of increased attempts by terror groups to infiltrate and destabilize Jammu and Kashmir. The use of social media as a tool for radicalization and coordination has become an increasing concern for authorities, prompting both technological and on-the-ground responses.
Local officials, including Ramban Senior Superintendent of Police Arun Gupta, have played a central role in supervising these operations. Their approach, sources say, has been to combine robust intelligence gathering with visible, coordinated action across multiple agencies. The inclusion of duty magistrates in the raids is seen as a step to enhance transparency and accountability during sensitive operations.
In addition to targeting active militants and their OGWs, the raids also sought to disrupt the broader support networks that sustain terror operations. This includes relatives and associates of militants who may be providing shelter, funding, or other logistical help. By seizing digital devices and verifying the backgrounds of suspects, authorities hope to build a clearer picture of these networks and prevent future attacks.
As winter sets in and the terrain becomes more challenging, security forces are preparing for the possibility that militants will attempt to regroup or relocate. The recent operations are being viewed as both a deterrent and a means to gather actionable intelligence before such movements can occur.
While the immediate impact of these raids is still being assessed, officials say the operations have already yielded valuable leads. The forensic analysis of seized devices is expected to play a key role in upcoming investigations, potentially leading to further arrests or disruption of planned attacks.
Across the political spectrum, reactions to the crackdown have been measured but supportive, with many leaders emphasizing the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the region. Human rights advocates have also been monitoring the situation, calling for continued respect for civil liberties even as security agencies pursue their objectives.
For residents of Jammu and Kashmir, the ongoing operations are a stark reminder of the region’s complex security environment. Yet, with authorities pledging to keep disruptions to a minimum and safeguard the rights of ordinary citizens, there is cautious optimism that these efforts may help reduce the threat of violence in the months ahead.
As investigations continue and forensic results are awaited, the coming weeks are likely to reveal more about the effectiveness of this sweeping crackdown—and whether it marks a turning point in the ongoing battle against militancy in Jammu and Kashmir.
