J&K DGP Nalin Prabhat reviews anti-terror ops in Poonch amid LeT infiltration alerts
Synopsis
J&K DGP Nalin Prabhat personally reviewed anti-terror operations in Poonch on 14 September, as the Pir Panjal belt faces confirmed LeT movement, a recent LoC infiltration bid near Balakote, and SIA-busted cross-border communication networks — signalling a sharp escalation in operational tempo ahead of winter.
Key Takeaways
J&K DGP Nalin Prabhat and IGP Jammu Zone Tejinder Singh reviewed anti-terror operations in Poonch district on 14 September 2026 .
The visit was prompted by recent Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) infiltration attempts and militant movement in the Pir Panjal region .
The State Investigation Agency (SIA) raided networks in Mandi , Surankote , and Udhampur , uncovering direct LoC handler communication links with locals.
Border troops detected and engaged a terrorist group near Dabbi village, Balakote sector , in early September, triggering cordon-and-search operations.
Active CASOs continue in Dhara Sangla , Bhatadurian , and Kherowali Dhok , partly to secure the under-construction Pir Panjal tunnel .
A joint security grid of the Indian Army , J&K Police , and central agencies is coordinating the expanded operational response.
Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat on Monday, 14 September 2026, conducted a comprehensive review of ongoing anti-terror operations in Poonch district, accompanying Inspector General of Police (Jammu Zone) Tejinder Singh, officials said. The visit comes against a backdrop of heightened infiltration attempts and confirmed movement of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militants in the Pir Panjal region.
What the Review Covered
The DGP received a detailed briefing on the latest operational developments, ground-level preparedness, and inter-agency coordination in Poonch. According to officials, the session focused on synchronising efforts among the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and specialised central agencies operating along the district's sensitive border belt.
SIA Raids Uncover Cross-LoC Communication Networks
The review visit follows a series of intelligence-driven operations in recent weeks. The State Investigation Agency (SIA) conducted multiple raids in the Mandi and Surankote areas of Poonch, as well as in Udhampur, targeting networks allegedly engaged in radicalisation and cross-border communication. Recovered evidence reportedly indicated that several local residents were in direct contact with handlers across the Line of Control (LoC), with those channels allegedly used to propagate secessionist narratives and facilitate online radicalisation.
LoC Infiltration Bid and Active Cordon Operations
In early September, border troops detected a group of terrorists attempting to cross the LoC near Dabbi village in the Balakote sector of Mendhar. An intense exchange of fire followed, triggering extensive combing operations across local forest belts. Massive cordon-and-search operations (CASO) remain active in remote forest pockets, including Dhara Sangla, Bhatadurian, and Kherowali Dhok. Officials attributed the operations to technical intelligence inputs and ground-level observations of suspicious movements near the under-construction Pir Panjal tunnel — a critical infrastructure project in the region.
Broader Security Context
The Poonch-Rajouri belt has remained one of Jammu and Kashmir's most active theatres for counter-infiltration operations in recent years, with LeT and affiliated groups repeatedly attempting to establish transit corridors through the dense forests of the Pir Panjal range. This is the latest in a series of high-level security reviews the DGP has conducted across sensitive districts. Notably, the deployment of joint security grids and intelligence-led CASOs signals an escalation in operational tempo ahead of the winter months, when high-altitude passes typically facilitate increased cross-border movement attempts. Security agencies are expected to sustain the current pressure on suspected networks as assessments continue.
Point of View
SIA-busted communication networks, and active CASOs near a major infrastructure project suggests the intelligence picture is more specific than public statements acknowledge. What warrants scrutiny is whether existing joint grid coordination is sufficient, or whether the operational tempo is itself a response to an intelligence failure that allowed the early-September infiltration attempt to reach the LoC in the first place. The focus on the Pir Panjal tunnel also raises a question that rarely surfaces: are critical infrastructure projects in conflict-prone zones being adequately secured during construction, not just after?
NationPress
14 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did J&K DGP Nalin Prabhat visit Poonch on 14 September?
DGP Nalin Prabhat visited Poonch to conduct a detailed review of ongoing anti-terror operations, assess ground-level preparedness, and evaluate coordination among security agencies. The visit was triggered by recent Lashkar-e-Taiba infiltration attempts and militant movements in the Pir Panjal region.
What did the SIA raids in Poonch uncover?
The State Investigation Agency (SIA) conducted raids in Mandi, Surankote, and Udhampur, recovering evidence that several locals were allegedly in direct communication with handlers across the Line of Control. These channels were reportedly used to spread secessionist narratives and facilitate online radicalisation.
What happened at the Balakote sector LoC in early September?
Border troops detected a group of terrorists attempting to cross the LoC near Dabbi village in the Balakote sector of Mendhar in early September. An intense exchange of fire followed, prompting extensive combing and cordon-and-search operations in surrounding forest areas.
Which areas are under active cordon-and-search operations in Poonch?
Cordon-and-search operations (CASO) remain active in the forest pockets of Dhara Sangla, Bhatadurian, and Kherowali Dhok. These were initiated based on technical intelligence and observations of suspicious movement near the under-construction Pir Panjal tunnel.
Which security agencies are involved in anti-terror operations in Poonch?
A joint security grid comprising the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and specialised central agencies is coordinating the anti-terror operations. The State Investigation Agency (SIA) is also active in the district, conducting intelligence-based raids on radicalisation and cross-border communication networks.
