Over 20 Houses Searched in Sopore in UAPA Terror Probe Linked to Banned Group

Police on Sunday (August 9, 2026) carried out searches at more than 20 residential houses in the Sopore area of Baramulla district in Jammu and Kashmir as part of an investigation into a terror case registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), officials said.

The searches were conducted by Sopore police following the registration of a UAPA case. According to sources, the residences belonged to individuals associated with the banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI). However, police have not yet disclosed the specific nature of the case or whether any incriminating material was recovered during the searches.

Jamaat-e-Islami is a socio-religious organisation that was declared an unlawful association under the UAPA by the central government in 2019, along with several other groups. The ban was imposed on grounds that certain activities of the organisation were prejudicial to national security and public order. Since then, the organisation has been ineligible to function as a legal entity, and its members have been subject to scrutiny by security agencies.

Sunday's operation is part of a broader investigation that appears to be examining links between the banned outfit and criminal activities. Officials said the searches were carried out in a peaceful manner, and no arrests have been reported so far. The occupants of the searched houses were present during the proceedings, and police recorded the details of the exercise as per standard procedure.

The UAPA, which was first enacted in 1967, provides law enforcement agencies with wide-ranging powers to investigate and prosecute cases involving unlawful activities, including terrorism. Under the law, authorities can conduct searches without a warrant in certain circumstances, though they are still required to follow procedural safeguards, such as preparing seizure lists and obtaining witness signatures. The law has been used frequently in Jammu and Kashmir in recent years, particularly in cases involving organisations banned under its provisions.

Legal experts point out that while the UAPA is a stringent law, its application must still respect the norms of due process. Those named in such cases retain the right to legal representation and to challenge any action taken against them in court. Civil liberties groups have periodically raised concerns about the potential misuse of the law, arguing that it can be applied disproportionately. The authorities, however, maintain that such measures are essential for safeguarding national security and upholding public order.

The Sopore area has been a focus of counter-terror operations for many years. This particular investigation is distinct from routine security patrols or checkpoint operations and appears to be directed at specific individuals and their associates. Police have urged the public to cooperate with ongoing inquiries and to desist from spreading unverified information on social media.

The searches come amid heightened security awareness in the region, though no unusual incidents have been reported in Sopore since the operation began. Further updates are expected once the investigating officers complete their paperwork and analyse any material that may have been collected. As the investigation proceeds, the legal process will determine the next steps, including the possibility of arrests or the filing of charges before the appropriate court.

For now, the police have remained tight-lipped about the evidence, reflecting a standard approach in pending investigations. The focus, officials say, is on completing the probe in a thorough and lawful manner, ensuring that the rights of all individuals are respected while the law takes its course.