Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir took a significant step on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, in their ongoing battle against terrorism, as the State Investigation Agency (SIA) of the Jammu and Kashmir Police seized the ancestral property of Zahid Hussain—a notorious Pakistan-based Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist—in the Mangota village of Doda district. This move, executed after careful legal and procedural steps, is being hailed as a crucial part of a broader campaign to dismantle the infrastructure that supports terrorism in the region.
According to officials cited by Devdiscourse and other regional news sources, the operation was carried out with due legal authorization. The SIA first identified and physically verified the property in question before proceeding with a formal inspection and attachment. The entire process was conducted under the orders of a competent court, ensuring that the action stood on solid legal ground.
The property, described as Zahid Hussain’s ancestral land, lies in the heart of Mangota village—a quiet area that, until now, may not have been associated with the high-stakes world of international terrorism. For the residents of Doda district, the seizure is a stark reminder of the reach and persistence of groups like Hizbul Mujahideen, and the ongoing efforts by authorities to root out their influence.
Zahid Hussain, the central figure in this operation, has long been a person of interest for Indian security agencies. Operating from Pakistan, Hussain has been accused of masterminding efforts to radicalize and recruit young people from Jammu and Kashmir, specifically targeting them as over ground workers (OGWs) for Hizbul Mujahideen. According to officials, he has utilized various social media platforms to spread extremist ideology and coordinate recruitment activities. This digital approach to recruitment has made tracking and countering his influence especially challenging for law enforcement.
The attachment of Hussain’s property is not a standalone event. As officials explained to Devdiscourse, it’s part of a broader, sustained crackdown designed to dismantle what they refer to as the “terror ecosystem” in Jammu and Kashmir. By targeting the financial and logistical roots of terrorist organizations, authorities hope to weaken their ability to operate and disrupt the networks that allow them to thrive.
One official, speaking to Devdiscourse, emphasized the significance of the move: "This action is a crucial step in a broader effort to dismantle the terror framework in the region, targeting the roots of terrorist support and logistics within Jammu and Kashmir." This sentiment was echoed in other reports, which noted that the seizure marks another milestone in the security agencies’ sustained efforts to break the backbone of terrorism, both financially and logistically.
The strategy to seize property and assets linked to terrorists is not new, but it has gained momentum in recent years as authorities seek to cut off the resources that enable terrorist activities. By targeting properties like Hussain’s ancestral land, the SIA aims to send a message: there will be tangible, real-world consequences for those who support or facilitate terrorism, even from afar.
For many in the region, the move is seen as a necessary—if tough—step in the ongoing fight against militancy. The history of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir is long and complex, with groups like Hizbul Mujahideen playing a central role in fueling unrest and violence. Over the years, these organizations have relied not just on ideological support, but also on a network of logistical and financial backers—many of whom operate under the radar, sometimes even within seemingly ordinary communities.
Hussain’s use of social media to radicalize and recruit youth is a particularly worrying trend for authorities. As officials described, his activities have focused on identifying vulnerable young people in Jammu and Kashmir and persuading them to act as over ground workers—individuals who provide logistical support, intelligence, and other forms of assistance to terrorist operatives. These OGWs are often critical to the functioning of militant groups, enabling them to move supplies, communicate securely, and evade law enforcement.
The decision to attach Hussain’s ancestral property is intended to disrupt this chain of support. By removing the financial and logistical safety nets that terrorists depend on, authorities hope to make it harder for groups like Hizbul Mujahideen to operate. As one official put it: "This action represents sustained efforts by security agencies to break the financial and logistical backbone of terrorism in the region."
Of course, the move is not without its challenges or critics. Some observers note that targeting property can have complex social and legal ramifications, especially when ancestral land is involved. There are concerns about due process, the impact on innocent family members, and the potential for backlash within local communities. However, officials insist that all due legal procedures were meticulously followed, with the attachment carried out only after a competent court authorized the action.
The broader context here is the ongoing struggle to maintain peace and stability in Jammu and Kashmir—a region that has seen decades of conflict, political upheaval, and violence. The government’s approach has evolved over time, with a growing emphasis on cutting off the resources that sustain militancy, rather than relying solely on direct confrontation. Seizing assets, freezing bank accounts, and targeting the financial networks of terrorist organizations have all become key tools in this strategy.
As the news of the property seizure spreads, it serves as both a warning and a reassurance. For those who might consider supporting terrorist activities, the message is clear: authorities are watching, and there are real consequences for involvement in such networks. For communities weary of violence and instability, the move offers a glimmer of hope that the tide may be turning, and that sustained, law-based efforts can make a difference.
It remains to be seen how effective these measures will be in the long run. Terrorist organizations are notoriously adaptable, and the digital age has given them new tools for communication and recruitment. Yet, by systematically targeting the infrastructure that underpins their operations—both online and on the ground—authorities in Jammu and Kashmir are demonstrating their determination to bring lasting change.
The seizure of Zahid Hussain’s ancestral property is a milestone in this ongoing campaign. It underscores the seriousness with which law enforcement is pursuing those who threaten the region’s peace and stability, and it signals a new chapter in the fight against terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir—one where the roots of militancy are targeted as aggressively as its visible manifestations.
For now, the land in Mangota village stands as a symbol of this resolve, and as a reminder that the battle against terrorism is fought on many fronts—legal, logistical, and, perhaps most importantly, in the hearts and minds of those most at risk.
