J&K Under Tight Security Blanket for Christmas, New Year

Suhail Khan

Srinagar, Dec 23 : As the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir prepares for Christmas and New Year celebrations, security forces along the borders have been placed on high alert and have intensified operations to ensure public safety.

Defence sources told Kashmir Convener that security has been significantly tightened across all frontier areas to prevent any untoward incident during the festive period.

“We will leave no stone unturned to ensure a peaceful environment. Every attempt by hostile elements will be thwarted we will not allow even a glance towards Jammu and Kashmir,” a top defence official said.

Another top security official informed Kashmir Convener that,  authorities are combining human intelligence with advanced surveillance technology in sensitive sectors including Keran, Machil, Karna, Uri, and Tangdhar.

He said High-resolution 360-degree CCTV cameras and electronic sensors have been installed along stretches of the Line of Control (LoC) to enable round-the-clock monitoring.

“Our troops are equipped with modern tools to detect suspicious movements, infiltration attempts, and any potential threat. This technological integration has strengthened our defensive posture,” he stated.

A senior Army official emphasized the operational readiness of soldiers, who remain vigilant despite extreme harsh cold weather and difficult terrain. “Heavily armed troops, under the supervision of officers, are patrolling day and night through deep gorges and harsh cold to guard against infiltration attempts,” he said.

He added that beyond their uniforms, each soldier carries a deep sense of duty and pride in protecting the nation.

A senior intelligence official, speaking to Kashmir Convener on condition of anonymity, stated: “Our intelligence grid is fully activated, with real-time information sharing between all agencies. We have a multi-layered security blanket in place, from the hinterland to the forward posts, to ensure seamless protection.”

He further emphasized the operational coordination, saying, “The synergy between technical surveillance, ground intelligence, and rapid reaction teams is at its peak. Any mischief will be met with an immediate and decisive response.”

Addressing seasonal challenges, the official noted, “The harsh winter often sees attempts to exploit adverse weather. Our forces are not merely on alert; they are proactively dominating the difficult terrain. Surveillance devices are complemented by aggressive patrolling to negate any space for infiltration.”

Meanwhile, in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir, joint teams of Jammu and Kashmir Police, Central Reserve Police Force, and special operations groups have launched a series of surprise checks and anti-sabotage operations.

Random checkpoints (nakas) have been set up across the region, with security personnel conducting thorough vehicle inspections and identity verification of pedestrians and shopkeepers. Sniffer dogs and metal detectors are being used to scan busy commercial areas for explosives or suspicious items.

Night patrolling and area domination exercises have also been intensified, particularly around entry and exit points of cities and popular tourist spots such as Lal Chowk in Srinagar.

A senior police officer told Kashmir Convener that these measures are part of a broader strategy to maintain tight security during the festive season and prevent any disruption of peace.

“Surprise checkpoints, anti-sabotage drills, and coordinated patrols are being conducted to keep the situation fully under control,” he added.

Security forces reiterated that all necessary steps have been taken to ensure that Christmas and New Year are celebrated peacefully across Jammu and Kashmir.

Meanwhile, in a development Security forces said on Tuesday that arms and ammunition were recovered during a cordon and search operation (CASO) in North  Kashmir’s Kupwara district.

Officials sources informed Kashmir Convener that the security forces recovered arms and ammunition in the Rajpora forest area of the Handwara sub-division.

“During the search, a suspicious location was identified, leading to the recovery of ammunition and an explosive device concealed in the forest area. The seized items included 90 rounds of INSAS rifle ammunition, 90 rounds of AK-47 ammunition and one Chinese hand grenade,” officials said.

It must be mentioned that on Monday, joint forces arrested a terrorist associate during a CASO in the Wuyan Khrew area of Awantipora, recovering a pistol and live ammunition from his possession.

The joint operation was conducted by the Awantipora Police along with personnel from the 50 Rashtriya Rifles of the Army and 185 Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

The arrested individual was identified as Javid Ahmad Hajam, son of Abdul Rashid Hajam, a resident of Gulab Bagh Tral. During the search, security personnel recovered one pistol and five live rounds from him.

According to officials, preliminary investigation suggests that the accused was actively involved in facilitating logistical support and transportation of arms and ammunition for terrorists operating in the Pampore, Tral and Awantipora areas of the police district.

Notably, J&K Police and the security forces are carrying out aggressive operations against terrorists, their overground workers (OGWs) and sympathisers.

These coordinated operations are aimed at dismantling the complete support system of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir rather than just focusing on the gun-wielding terrorists.

Police, after obtaining court orders, have been attaching properties of terrorists, OGWs, their sympathisers and drug smugglers in addition to booking the involved persons under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967 (UAPA). The attached properties are those created from the funds generated through terrorism and other criminal activities.