Police in Jammu & Kashmir on Friday, 19 June arrested two persons in Kishtwar district for allegedly providing support to terrorists, while three others were detained in Shopian district following the recovery of grenades, explosive material, and incriminating documents during a targeted search operation. The twin actions signal continued counter-terror pressure across both the Jammu division and south Kashmir.

Kishtwar Arrests: Forest Department Employee Among the Accused

The two individuals arrested in Kishtwar have been identified as Tariq Ahmed Ginoo, a government employee serving in the Forest Department, and Mohammad Iqbal, both residents of the Tander area of Dachhan in Kishtwar. According to police, the arrests followed a detailed investigation into a case registered at Police Station Kishtwar under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), and the Arms Act.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Kishtwar, Naresh Singh, confirmed that both accused were found to have been facilitating and providing logistical support to local terrorists. He added that efforts are underway to identify and apprehend other individuals linked to the network, and that all those found involved will be dealt with strictly as per the law.

Shopian Operation: Grenades, Explosives, and HM Posters Seized

In a separate operation in south Kashmir's Shopian district, security forces acting on specific intelligence inputs conducted a search in the Pudsoo area and detained three residents of Begam village. During the operation, the following items were recovered from their possession:

- Two grenades
- Four Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) posters
- 2.5 kilograms of explosive material
- Four mobile phones

SSP, Shopian, Mushtaq Ahmad Choudhary stated that all recovered material has been seized and that forensic and technical examination is currently underway. An FIR has been registered in connection with the incident, and the three detainees are being questioned.

Pattern of Counter-Terror Operations in J&K

This comes amid sustained security operations across Jammu & Kashmir, where police and security forces have intensified crackdowns on overground worker networks — individuals who provide shelter, logistics, or information to active militants. The involvement of a government employee in the Kishtwar case is particularly notable, as it points to infiltration of state institutions by terrorist support networks. Notably, Kishtwar has seen a series of militant-linked arrests over recent months, while Shopian — historically a hotbed of Hizbul Mujahideen activity — continues to be a focal point for arms recovery operations.

What Happens Next

Investigators in Kishtwar are widening the probe to identify other members of the support network, while forensic analysis of the Shopian seizure is expected to yield further leads on the origin and intended use of the recovered explosives. Both cases are likely to be pursued under the stringent provisions of the UAPA, which allows for extended detention and limits bail options for accused persons.