Hundreds of people were detained across Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday following a horrific terrorist attack that killed 26 and left several others injured. Security measures were also been increased — with tens of thousands of police officials and soldiers fanning out across the region. A joint joint combing operation involving the Indian Army, CRPF, and J&K Police remains underway in the region.
According to reports, more than 1500 ‘overground workers’, individuals with militant records, and those with FIRs registered against them have been taken in for questioning. Security personnel also searched cars, used helicopters to search forested mountains and manned additional checkpoints set up along key routes.
An offshoot of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba claimed credit for the attack on Tuesday — citing the need for a ‘demographic change’ as justification. The Resistance Front was formed online in 2019 following the abrogation of Article 370 and quickly evolved into a full-fledged terror group. It was declared a terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in January 2023.