Crackdown on Cross-Border Terror: Property of Pakistan-Based Handler Seized in Kupwara

Kupwara Witnesses Strong Action Against Terror Infrastructure

In a decisive move against terrorism operating from across the border, authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have seized the property of a Pakistan-based terrorist handler in the Kupwara district. The action was taken under the stringent provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), marking a significant development in the ongoing crackdown on militancy in the region.

The accused is presently operating from across the border | NDTV

The individual in question, Ghulam Rasool Shah—also known by the alias Rafia Rasool Shah—is a native of Chandigam village in the Sogam area of Kupwara. Although now based in Pakistan, Shah has been actively involved in supporting terrorist activities in the Kashmir Valley, allegedly coordinating operations for the banned group Hizbul Mujahideen. Authorities said that despite his location across the border, his influence and strategic involvement in militant networks within Jammu and Kashmir continued unabated.

Legal Action Under UAPA and Seizure of Property

Acting on credible intelligence and a standing FIR (No. 276/2022), the Jammu and Kashmir Police attached Shah's land measuring approximately five kanals and three marlas in the Chandigam area. The seizure was carried out under Section 25 of the UAPA, which empowers the government to confiscate property connected with unlawful activities, particularly those involving terrorism.

Police officials emphasized that such measures are aimed at neutralizing the extended reach of Pakistan-based handlers and weakening the logistical and financial chains that enable terrorism. By targeting properties and assets on Indian soil, law enforcement aims to cut off the ecosystem that sustains militant operations from abroad.

A Broader Strategy to Undermine Terror Support Networks

This development is not an isolated case but part of a comprehensive strategy adopted by the J&K administration and security agencies. Over the past year, several similar actions have been taken across the region, particularly in South Kashmir, Chenab Valley, and Kishtwar. In one of the most high-profile operations in January 2025, eleven properties belonging to residents of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir were seized for their links to terrorist groups operating from across the Line of Control.

These actions are aimed not only at punishing those directly involved in terrorism but also at sending a strong message to sympathizers and overground workers. The seizure of assets makes it clear that aiding terrorism—whether by physical presence or remote facilitation—will invite strict and irreversible consequences.

Recent Counter-Terror Operations Amplify the Message

The current move comes on the heels of other significant counter-terror operations. In April 2025, the Pahalgam terror attack shocked the nation, claiming the lives of 26 civilians and drawing widespread condemnation. That attack, attributed to The Resistance Front—a proxy outfit of the Lashkar-e-Taiba—sparked a fresh wave of security measures, including demolition of terrorist-linked houses and arrest of local sympathizers.

Soon after, Kupwara was again in focus when another house belonging to a known militant, Farooq Ahmad Tadwa, was demolished by security forces. These developments reflect a renewed zero-tolerance approach towards terrorism—one that is not just reactive but proactive and systemic.

Additionally, search operations in Poonch by the Indian Army's Romeo Force and the J&K Police led to the recovery of arms and explosives, further indicating the continuing threat posed by terrorist networks and the state’s determination to eliminate them.

Authorities Speak on the Message Behind the Seizure

A police spokesperson from the Kupwara district stated that the confiscation of Ghulam Rasool Shah’s property is part of a strategic approach to disrupt militant architecture in the Valley. The official added that property seizures, in particular, have symbolic and practical value—while they prevent future use of these premises for unlawful purposes, they also serve to demoralize those involved in orchestrating anti-national activities from safe havens across the border.

Security experts believe that such actions are crucial for dismantling the operational capacity of terrorists who rely on local infrastructure, safehouses, and sympathetic networks to carry out attacks.

Conclusion: Strengthening the Fight from Within

The seizure of a Pakistan-based terrorist’s property in Kupwara stands as a testament to India's intensified fight against terrorism—not just through military strength, but through law, policy, and strategic targeting of support systems. It illustrates a paradigm shift from merely neutralizing terrorists to uprooting the deep-rooted networks that sustain them.

By targeting the financial and material assets of militants, the government sends a clear message: terror will not only be fought on the battlefield but also through economic and legal means. The battle against terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir is no longer limited to eliminating foot soldiers; it now includes neutralizing masterminds, wherever they may be hiding.

(Sources: NDTV, Hindustan Times, Times of India)