Hand grenade seized from suspect in Pulwama as J&K tightens security after Kulgam killings

SRINAGAR: A man was arrested in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on Monday after a hand grenade, three posters carrying anti-national slogans, and a mobile phone were found in his possession. The arrest took place during a security campaign launched after the killing of two migrant labourers in a terror attack in neighbouring Kulgam district last week.

The suspect has been identified as Tousef Ahmad Dar, a local resident of Pulwama. He has been booked under various sections of law, including the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), which is a stringent anti-terror legislation that allows for extended detention and places the burden of proof on the accused in certain cases.

According to police, Dar was seen approaching a checkpost set up jointly by the J&K Police, the Army, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). When he noticed the security personnel, he reportedly turned and tried to flee. He was chased and caught a short distance away, officials said.

In a statement, police said, "The police remain committed to maintaining peace and security and will continue to take firm action against individuals involved in anti-national and unlawful activities."

The checkpost where Dar was held is one of several across the Kashmir Valley that have been set up following the July 31 attack in Kulgam, in which two migrant workers were killed. The killings have created a sense of unease among the migrant labourer community, which often works in the Valley during the summer months. Migrant workers from states such as Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are employed in construction, horticulture, and other sectors.

Earlier, on July 23, a terrorist opened fire on a J&K Police head constable, Ashiq Hussain Qureshi, in south Kashmir's Anantnag district, killing him on the spot. Police have said that The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the banned Lashkar-e-Toiba, was responsible for both the Kulgam and Anantnag attacks.

These incidents come nearly 15 months after the Pahalgam massacre on April 22 last year, when 26 people, most of them tourists, were killed in a terrorist attack. The latest violence has prompted the security establishment to step up counter-insurgency operations in the region.

On Monday, Kashmir Inspector General of Police VK Birdi held a meeting to review the security situation. A police spokesman said Birdi emphasized the need for seamless coordination among all security agencies. The review also covered the security of highways, railway tracks, and stations across the Valley. Birdi directed officers to establish dynamic nakas, or mobile checkpoints, and to increase foot patrolling, particularly at night, at vulnerable locations and inter-district boundaries.

The use of dynamic nakas is part of a broader counter-insurgency strategy aimed at preventing militants from moving freely and disrupting their supply chains. Officials say such measures have helped in interceptions and arrests in the past.

The arrest in Pulwama is seen as part of this intensified crackdown. Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. Investigations are underway to determine if Dar had any links with militant groups.