Houses of terrorists demolished, 2500 OGWs detained, Kashmir on high alert as forces launch major crackdown after murder of on-duty constable in Anantnag

Security forces demolished homes of two wanted Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists and detained over 2,500 overground workers (OGWs) for interrogation throughout Kashmir. The massive crackdown transpired after a Jammu and Kashmir police head constable was shot and killed while on duty in the Lal Chowk market in Anantnag at nearly 12.30 pm on 22nd July (Wednesday). Ashiq Hussain Qureshi, a head constable in the 3rd battalion of Indian Reserve Police and a member of the Special Operations Group, was assigned to the auspicious Amarnath Yatra. The yearly pilgrimage has been put on hold due to bad weather. He was a resident of Lalpora village in Budgam’s Beerwa in central Kashmir. Ashiq was struck at close range by a lone terrorist wearing a black cap. The incident was captured on CCTV. LeT offshoot The Resistance Front (TRF) claimed responsibility for the murder. The assailant was observed carrying a sack to conceal the assault rifle used in the attack. Ashiq was critically wounded and immediately brought to the Government Medical College hospital in Anantnag. However, he succumbed to his injuries and was declared dead on arrival. The authorities instructed individuals not to share the footage of the assault and warned to take harsh legal action against those who did not comply. The 45-year-old cop is survived by his wife, mother and three children. He was appointed after his father, a police constable, perished in an accident on the Srinagar-Jammu route 30 years ago. The hunt is underway to trace the terrorist. Condolences began to pour in from Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha, and other prominent leaders shortly after the brutal murder. Sinha even met the grieving family and promised to do everything within his authority to safeguard their dignity and well-being. He mentioned that they will receive support from the government until the martyr’s son finishes his education and is qualified for placement under the compassionate employment policy. Visited Lalpora, Beerwah, Budgam to meet the family members of Martyr Head Constable of J&K Police, Ashiq Hussain Qureshi. His courage and sacrifice will forever inspire us. The nation salutes his devotion to duty and stands firmly with his family. Under the leadership of Hon’ble… pic.twitter.com/7KSolvQGAK— Manoj Sinha (@manojsinha_) July 24, 2026 Ashiq became the maiden casualty of the first terror onslaught following Pahalgam, where 25 Hindu men were ruthlessly slain by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists in the Baisaran Valley on 22nd April of last year. LeT and TRF have been exposed as the orchestrators of the deadly hit on innocent civilians on the grounds of religion. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has made the disclosure in its chargesheet. TRF initially boasted about the same but later retracted following international backlash against the heinous act. Security forces, police proactive after the dastardly incident The entire area was right away cordoned off after the police official’s murder in Anantnag, and a thorough search unfolded to track the perpetrator as key entry points and roads were strictly monitored while more officers were stationed throughout the district. Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) spokesperson conveyed that security is heightened, and officials are executing search operations as the valley has been put on high alert. Furthermore, checkpoints have been strengthened, surveillance is intensified and paramilitary troops have joined police in stepping up the inspection and screening of vehicles on the route to upkeep law and order. Patrolling is also increased and special checkpoints are created on critical roads. People have been asked to assist the authorities and stay watchful. LG Sinha presided over a crucial assessment meeting and directed the officers to be “highly vigilant” and neutralise new threats. It was attended by senior officers of the army, police, civil administration, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and other primary security entities. Chaired a high-level security review meeting today in Srinagar with senior officials from the Army, J&K Police, Civil Administration, CAPFs, and key security agencies.Also, comprehensively reviewed logistics and safety arrangements for the ongoing Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra in light… pic.twitter.com/WOoAmmHzQQ— Manoj Sinha (@manojsinha_) July 23, 2026 The destruction of the house of the two terrorists and the large-scale detentions is part of a comprehensive effort to dismantle the fundamental structure of terrorist groups and their support system in the region. According to officials, controlled explosives were employed to target Adil Ahmad Thoker’s residence in Guri village of Anantnag district. A similar action was taken on the property after the Pahalgam terror attack too. The other terrorist, Haroon Rashid Ganaie’s home at Hassanpora Tawella in Bijbehara, was also demolished in a similar manner, after asking the occupants to move out. The teams reached the locations and asked the occupants to vacate before carrying out the detonation process at around 3 am on Thursday. Thoker and Ganaie have been active members of LeT since 2018. Additionally, those who were picked up have been accused of aiding the terrorists with communications, transportation, money, lodging, and other forms of support. Over 700 locals were apprehended in the Srinagar area, 178 in Baramulla, 200 in Budgam, 100 in Ganderbal, while several hundred more were held in Anantnag, Shopian and Kulgam. According to a police officer, the operation’s goal was to locate and destroy networks that supply financial, logistical, communication, transit and housing support to terrorist groups. A police representative defined the move as precautionary and driven by intelligence, explaining that they are being questioned in accordance with the law to determine whether they had any involvement in deeds adverse to the security of the region. Suspected OGWs, miscreants, orbit members of JKNOP (Jammu and Kashmir Nationals Operating from Pakistan or occupied Kashmir) and persons implicated in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS)-related offences were among those in custody. Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti and others criticise the detention of suspects Both the ruling party and the opposition in Kashmir referred to the exercise as redundant and “counterproductive” to peace while promoting a narrative of victimhood. It is important to note that OGWs have traditionally significantly contributed to facilitating terrorist activities, including the massacre in Pahalgam. “I understand the anger of the police, but the Supreme Court has issued an order stating that summary action of this kind should not be taken. We witnessed a similar situation after the Pahalgam attack when some people’s houses were bulldozed. At that time, I had to speak to the central government to stop the trend,” remarked Omar Abdullah while talking to the media. He further argued, “Ashiq was killed mercilessly, but when you get to hear that not just 1,000 or 2,000 but 2,500 arrests are made, it will transfer the anger (against militants for killing the cop) against this (arrests).” He added, “Demolishing houses or making thousands of arrests will not improve the situation. In fact, it will only worsen it.” “We can reach a certain point using the police, Army and the CRPF, but the real end will come only when the general public stands together against such violence,” the vice-president of National Conference (NC) stressed. Mehbooba Mufti, the former Chief Minister of the union territory and president of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), condemned the killing of the policeman but alleged that “detaining over a thousand people and demolishing the homes of families of two alleged militants amounts to collective punishment that has no place in a democracy.” She also charged, “If the Government of India itself maintains that militancy has been reduced to near zero it must adopt a more humane and lawful approach towards innocent civilians instead of resorting to tit for tat for an entire community.” The killing of a police officer in the line of duty is a heinous & condemnable act. But detaining over a thousand people and demolishing the homes of families of two alleged militants amounts to collective punishment that has no place in a democracy. If the Government of India… pic.twitter.com/erlJs168of— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) July 23, 2026 People’s Conference supremo Sajad Lone also termed the response as “collective punishment” which will prove detrimental. “You cannot summon and arrest thousands of people because their name is included in the OGW list. The list is decades old. Most of these people are old, well into their seventies. There is a concept of reintegration in conflict situations. People who have taken to arms are eventually encouraged and facilitated to reintegrate with society. I don’t agree with the concept of mass arrests,” he claimed. The actions of the J & K police after yesterday’s dastardly attack will do more harm. You cannot summon and arrest thousands of people because their name is included in the OGW list. The list is decades old. Most of these people are old, well into their seventies. There is…— Sajad Lone (@sajadlone) July 23, 2026 Notably, the houses of active terrorists have been razed in the past as well, but the approach was suspended for almost a year due to a drop in the scale of violence. The police have announced that the intelligence-based operations will continue in close coordination with security and intelligence agencies to eradicate the terror support ecosystem and stop any attempt to disturb the peace, foster communal harmony and guarantee the safety of citizens. The legal action will be founded on revelations, information and details that come to light as the continuing probe and verification procedure progresses with time.