Private residence and orchard in south Kashmir attached as part of broader offensive against terror networks, signaling intensified security measures ahead of festive season
Published on: September 27, 2025
By: BTNI
Location: Kashmir, India
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) today intensified its battle against terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir by attaching key properties belonging to a top Hizbul Mujahideen operative, marking a significant blow to the group’s financial backbone. In a coordinated raid in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, authorities seized a sprawling private residence and a 10-acre apple orchard owned by the suspect, valued at over ₹5 crore, under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
The operation, described by NIA officials as a “decisive action against terror networks,” targets an individual accused of masterminding recruitment, arms smuggling, and funding for attacks in the region since 2020. The attachments are part of a larger probe that has already led to 15 arrests in the past month, including overground workers who allegedly funneled Pakistani funds through hawala channels.
Security sources revealed that the orchard, a common front for terror financing in the apple-rich Valley, was used to store explosives and serve as a safe house for militants. This comes amid a surge in intelligence inputs about potential fidayeen attacks during the upcoming Navratri and Diwali festivals, prompting heightened vigilance across the Line of Control (LoC). Local residents in Pulwama welcomed the move but expressed concerns over collateral impacts on legitimate farmers, whose lands often border such assets.
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The NIA’s sleuths, supported by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), conducted the seizure without major resistance, though posters glorifying the operative surfaced overnight in nearby villages. In a related development, the agency announced bounties for information on three other Hizbul commanders operating from across the border. Political reactions were swift: Union Home Minister Amit Shah hailed it as a “zero-tolerance” milestone, while opposition leaders like Mehbooba Mufti called for parallel efforts to address youth radicalization through jobs and education.
With over 200 terror-related incidents reported this year, this operation reinforces India’s multi-pronged strategy to dismantle the ecosystem of militancy in the Kashmir Valley, though experts warn that economic rehabilitation remains key to lasting peace.
