Jammu & Kashmir Police on Saturday, 16 May conducted searches at more than 15 locations across the Sopore sub-division in North Kashmir as part of an ongoing crackdown under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) targeting networks linked to the banned Jamaat-e-Islami organisation. The searches spanned localities including Bomai, Warpora, Sopore, and Tarzoo.

Key Developments

Police confirmed that the search operations were directly connected to active UAPA cases against the Jamaat-e-Islami network. The operations are part of a series of raids conducted in North Kashmir this month, reflecting an intensified enforcement posture by security agencies in the region.

This is the latest in a sustained pattern of operations. Authorities have been conducting raids and seizing assets linked to the organisation across Jammu & Kashmir as the administration moves to dismantle its institutional presence.

The Ban on Jamaat-e-Islami

The Government of India first banned Jamaat-e-Islami in 2019, declaring it an 'unlawful association' under the UAPA. The ban was extended for a further five years beginning February 2024, with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) citing the organisation's continued role in fomenting militancy, supporting anti-India propaganda, and threatening the unity and integrity of the country.

The MHA has maintained that Jamaat-e-Islami encourages terrorism and secessionism in J&K. Originally formed to promote Islamic revival in the region, the organisation was subsequently proscribed over its alleged support for violent activities and separatism.

Asset Seizures and School Takeovers

Beyond search operations, the J&K administration has moved to seize properties and educational institutions linked to the organisation. By April 2026, authorities had taken over dozens of schools associated with the Falah-e-Aam Trust, which is linked to the banned group. The asset-seizure drive signals a shift from purely security-focused operations to dismantling the organisation's socio-economic infrastructure.

Jamaat's Links to Hizbul Mujahideen

Security agencies have long documented the organisational overlap between Jamaat-e-Islami and the militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen. According to officials, Hizbul Mujahideen was formed by youth and senior Jamaat activists as its armed wing. Most senior cadre of Hizbul Mujahideen were also senior members of Jamaat-e-Islami.

The self-styled supreme commander of Hizbul Mujahideen, Syed Yusuf Shah, also known as Syed Sallahuddin, is reportedly based in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). He was a senior Jamaat leader and the party's candidate in the 1987 Assembly elections in J&K.

Political Fault Lines Within the Organisation

Despite the ban, the organisation has not been entirely dormant in political terms. Some members formerly affiliated with Jamaat-e-Islami contested the 2024 Assembly elections under new political banners, signalling a split within the group. While a section is reportedly exploring mainstream democratic participation, others are said to maintain the organisation's original ideological stance, according to reports.

With raids continuing and asset seizures accelerating, authorities appear focused on ensuring the ban translates into operational neutralisation — not merely a formal legal status.