VDC guard shot in Udhampur; terror handler's property attached in Rajouri
Synopsis
Two separate security incidents in Jammu and Kashmir on 15 September: a VDC guard was accidentally shot in his abdomen in Udhampur's Majalta area, while Rajouri police attached ₹45 lakh worth of land belonging to a named terror handler under a decade-old FIR — part of J&K Police's expanding use of property seizure as a non-kinetic counter-terror tool.
Key Takeaways
VDC guard Parshotam Lal of Chore Panjian, Majalta sustained an accidental gunshot wound to his abdomen in Udhampur district on 15 September 2026 .
He was hospitalised; his condition was not immediately confirmed.
Police Station Thanamandi in Rajouri attached land belonging to terror handler Nazarat Hussain under FIR No.
The attached property measures 01 Kanal and 2.5 Marlas across 11 Khasra numbers , valued at approximately ₹45 lakh .
J&K Police has been systematically attaching properties of terror handlers, Over Ground Workers, and sympathisers through court orders as part of its anti-terror strategy.
A Village Defence Committee (VDC) guard sustained a gunshot injury in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, 15 September 2026, after his rifle discharged accidentally, while police in Rajouri district formally attached immovable property belonging to a terror handler as part of the state's ongoing crackdown on militant support networks.
Accidental Shooting in Majalta, Udhampur
The injured guard, identified as Parshotam Lal, a resident of Chore Panjian in the Majalta area of Udhampur, sustained a gunshot wound to his abdomen when his service rifle went off accidentally, according to officials. He was promptly shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment, though his condition was not immediately confirmed.
'The VDC guard was injured after his rifle went off accidentally in Majalta, Udhampur, causing a gunshot wound in his abdomen,' officials said. An investigation has been initiated to ascertain the exact circumstances that led to the discharge.
Terror Handler's Property Attached in Rajouri
Police Station Thanamandi in Rajouri district formally attached immovable land belonging to Nazarat Hussain, son of Mohd Sadiq, a resident of Niali Thanamandi, under Case FIR No. 04/2011 U/S 3/4 E&IMCO Act of PS Thanamandi. The attached land spans Khasra Nos. 33, 34, 39, 51, 52, 53, 58, 59, 60, 65 and 89, measuring 01 Kanal and 2.5 Marlas, with an approximate value of ₹45 lakh.
Attachment boards were prominently installed on the land in the presence of concerned authorities and police personnel, formally marking it as seized under law. District Police Rajouri described the action as reflecting its 'firm commitment to dismantle the support structure of terrorism.'
J&K Police's Broader Anti-Terror Property Drive
The Rajouri attachment is part of a wider legal strategy by the Jammu and Kashmir Police to target the financial and logistical support networks of militant groups. Courts in J&K have been issuing attachment orders against properties of Over Ground Workers, sympathisers, and terror handlers — including those reportedly operating from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir after evading security forces.
This approach aims to economically isolate those providing material support to militants, cutting supply lines beyond direct counter-insurgency operations. Notably, the legal instrument used — the E&IMCO Act — has seen increasing deployment as a non-kinetic tool against terror ecosystems in the region.
Context and What Comes Next
VDC members serve as a frontline civilian defence layer in vulnerable villages across Jammu and Kashmir, making accidental weapon discharges an occupational safety concern that authorities will need to address through training reviews. The Udhampur incident underscores the risks faced by these volunteers even in non-combat situations.
In Rajouri, investigators are expected to continue identifying further assets linked to terror handlers operating across the border, with additional attachment proceedings likely in the coming weeks.
Point of View
Though separate, illustrate the dual texture of the security challenge in Jammu and Kashmir: an accidental shooting among civilian defenders points to persistent gaps in weapon-handling protocols for VDC volunteers, who operate under minimal institutional oversight. The Rajouri property attachment, meanwhile, is part of a deliberate legal shift — J&K Police is increasingly using court-backed asset seizure to target the financial architecture of militancy rather than relying solely on kinetic operations. The E&IMCO Act attachment in a 2011 FIR suggests these cases can take years to reach the property-seizure stage, raising questions about the pace and scale of the strategy's impact on active networks.
NationPress
15 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the VDC guard injured in Udhampur?
The injured guard has been identified as Parshotam Lal , a resident of Chore Panjian in the Majalta area of Udhampur district. He sustained an accidental gunshot wound to his abdomen when his service rifle discharged on 15 September 2026 and was subsequently hospitalised.
What is a Village Defence Committee (VDC) member?
Village Defence Committees are civilian volunteer groups armed and tasked by the government to protect remote villages in Jammu and Kashmir from militant threats. Members are typically local residents who act as a first line of defence in areas with limited security force presence.
Whose property was attached in Rajouri and why?
The property of Nazarat Hussain , son of Mohd Sadiq, a resident of Niali Thanamandi, was attached by Police Station Thanamandi in Rajouri. The action was taken under Case FIR No. 04/2011 U/S 3/4 E&IMCO Act due to his alleged role as a terror handler.
What is the value and size of the attached property in Rajouri?
The attached land comprises 11 Khasra numbers and measures 01 Kanal and 2.5 Marlas, with an approximate value of ₹45 lakh. Attachment boards were placed on the land in the presence of police and other authorities.
How does J&K Police's property attachment drive work?
J&K Police obtains court orders to formally attach immovable assets of individuals linked to terrorist networks, including Over Ground Workers, sympathisers, and handlers operating from across the border. The strategy aims to economically dismantle support structures of militant groups as a non-kinetic counter-terror measure.
