In a significant move, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has begun the process of designating hundreds of terrorists who sought refuge in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as “proclaimed offenders.” This step will lead to the attachment of their properties, signalling a crackdown on those involved in terrorist activities in India.
Dilbag Singh, the Director-General of J&K Police, strongly condemned these individuals, labelling them as “traitors to the nation” who are now attempting to fuel terrorism from PoK. He affirmed that comprehensive data on these militants has been compiled and action has already been initiated in the Doda district. Sixteen locals, who had sought shelter in PoK, have been declared “proclaimed offenders” and seized their properties.
The Intelligence wing of J&K Police has identified over 4,200 individuals, most of whom have been in PoK since 1990. The details of their properties have been shared with the Inspector-General of Registrations and Revenue, effectively preventing any sale or transfer of their assets.
Furthermore, authorities are also targeting those accused of knowingly harbouring terrorists. This ensures that individuals coerced or threatened into providing shelter to terrorists are not penalized.
In Sopore, a once notorious terrorism hotspot, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha called upon the public not to offer refuge to such elements. He reiterated the central government’s commitment to eradicating terrorism and its support network from Jammu and Kashmir. Sinha emphasized that the police and security forces are well-equipped to handle the situation and urged the community to avoid harbouring terrorists.
Back in 1990, thousands of youths crossed the Line of Control into PoK for militant training, many of whom later returned to carry out acts of terror in Kashmir. Over the past three decades, security forces have eliminated more than 23,000 terrorists during encounters in the region.
In 2010, the J&K government introduced a “surrender and rehabilitation” policy for those willing to return from PoK. Approximately 300 individuals, along with their families, availed of this opportunity, but over 4,000 are believed to still remain in camps.
In addition to direct encounters, security agencies, including the National Investigation Agency, have been actively targeting terror financing activities and their support networks. Attaching the properties of J&K natives who ventured into PoK to join terrorist ranks marks a crucial step in this renewed offensive.
