Jammu, Jan 4: Police and intelligence agencies have identified 310 persons from the border district of Poonch who are operating from Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) with the intent to create disturbances, including facilitating infiltration attempts across the Line of Control (LoC), narcotics smuggling, youth radicalisation and other illegal activities.
Highly placed sources told Excelsior that the identification followed a comprehensive exercise jointly conducted by police and intelligence agencies. Most of the identified individuals hail from the Mendhar, Surankote and Sabjian areas of Poonch district. They reportedly crossed over to Pakistan and PoJK over the past three decades and are now operating from across the border to foment unrest in Poonch and neighbouring Rajouri district.
Sources said the identification was carried out after a detailed survey, and while lists of such individuals have been prepared, their names have not been made public so far. Police have gathered evidence of their exfiltration and involvement in illegal activities and have initiated the process of attaching their properties.
Investigations have also revealed that nearly 2,500 persons from Poonch district have illegally crossed over to PoJK and Pakistan during the past three decades. However, the role of around 310 individuals has emerged in activities linked to terrorism and other unlawful acts.
While those who crossed over belonged to different parts of the district, a majority were from Mendhar, Surankote and Sabjian, areas located close to the LoC. Describing the figure of 310 as “quite high,” sources said most of these individuals have been involved in activities such as facilitating terror networks, narcotics smuggling and attempts to radicalise youth in Jammu and Kashmir.
Some of them are reportedly active militants affiliated with terror outfits such as Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Hizbul Mujahideen. They are alleged to be involved in facilitating infiltration, attempting to push arms and narcotics using drones and other means, and contacting local youth to lure them into militancy.
Following directions from the top, police have intensified action against such elements. Officials said that in the first phase, individuals who exfiltrated to Pakistan and PoJK were identified, followed by verification of assets in their names. In accordance with legal procedures, the process of attaching their properties has begun.
Properties of nearly two dozen such individuals have already been attached, while assets belonging to another 20–25 persons are expected to be seized by January 26. Officials said properties of all identified individuals involved in illegal activities will be attached in due course.
Security agencies have also found that some of these individuals have repeatedly contacted youth in Poonch and Rajouri districts through various social media platforms in attempts to radicalise them. However, officials said most of these efforts have failed.
