Kishtwar Police apprehended two individuals, including a government teacher, for alleged complicity with the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) militant group.
The arrests, made in the Chatroo area, point to alleged logistical and intelligence assistance provided to individuals linked to a JeM module operating with alleged cross-border backing. Authorities stated the detainees are accused of facilitating shelter, transportation, and sharing information regarding security force movements.
The operation is presented as a continuation of efforts to disrupt what authorities describe as terror logistics chains in the region. Preliminary reports indicate the individuals were allegedly assisting terrorists connected to JeM's "Azrael module" and in contact with militant commander Saifullah and his associates. The Kishtwar police have affirmed a continued stringent stance against anyone found supporting militant activities, irrespective of their social standing or professional roles.
Echoes of Past Operations
This recent development in Kishtwar surfaces against a backdrop of earlier operations targeting similar support networks. On November 10, 2025, J&K Police announced the dismantling of a wider inter-state and transnational terror module, allegedly linked to both JeM and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGuH).
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That operation, which reportedly began with the discovery of JeM posters in Nowgam on October 19, 2025, resulted in the arrest of seven individuals, including two doctors. A significant seizure of 2,900 kilograms of explosive and IED-making material, alongside arms and ammunition, was reported from Faridabad, Haryana, and Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh.
The recovered items from the November 2025 operation included various firearms and a substantial quantity of materials described as:
Explosives
Chemicals
Reagents
Inflammable material
Electronic circuits
Batteries
Wires
Remote controls
Timers
Metal sheets
Those arrested in that earlier operation were identified as residents of various areas including Nowgam, Srinagar; Shopian; Ganderbal; Pulwama; and Kulgam. Their alleged activities, according to official statements, included radicalizing potential recruits, raising funds, arranging logistics, and procuring materials for weapons and explosives.
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A financial investigation was also indicated as ongoing at that time to trace the flow of funds and identify facilitators. The authorities characterized this network as a "white collar" operation, suggesting involvement beyond overt militant roles.
The previous month, in March 2026, reports indicated J&K Police were planning a more focused crackdown in Kishtwar on the alleged ground support network for JeM, particularly following the elimination of Saifullah and associates. Security agencies had then identified approximately half a dozen individuals, including two government employees, suspected of providing food, shelter, and other support to militants. This follows reports of the elimination of seven JeM terrorists in Kishtwar over a 326-day period prior to March 2026.
