Jammu, July 30 — Jammu and Kashmir Police on Thursday attached the immovable properties of five Pakistan-based terror handlers in Reasi district as part of efforts to dismantle the financial infrastructure supporting terrorism, officials said.
The action was taken during the investigation of FIR No 70/2024 registered at Mahore Police Station under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), and the E&IMCO Act, police added.
Under the UAPA, the Director General of Police is the designated authority empowered to order the attachment of properties linked to terrorism. The law provides for the freezing, seizure and attachment of assets used for terror financing.
The power to freeze, seize, or attach funds and financial assets under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) was given in 2008 via the insertion of Section 51A, while specific investigative seizure and attachment of property tied to proceeds of terrorism was expanded under Chapter VI via amendments in 2004 and 2019.
A statement said, “Delivering a major blow to the terror ecosystem, Reasi Police has attached the immovable properties of five Pakistan-based terror handlers during the investigation of FIR No. 70/2024 of Police Station Mahore, registered under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), and the E&IMCO Act”.
According to a police statement, the attachment proceedings were carried out by a team led by Parul Bhardwaj, SDPO Mahore, along with the SHO of Mahore Police Station, in the presence of the Executive Magistrate and local witnesses.
The attached properties include land belonging to five individuals identified by police as Pakistan-based terror handlers: Alaf Din of Shajroo, Ghulam Mohammad alias Gamma of Shajroo, Mohammad Ashraf of Chakrass (Mulass), Shabir Ahmad of Chakrass (Jamsalan), and Bihar Din of Sildhar. Together, the attached holdings comprise several kanals and marlas of land in the Mahore area.
Police said investigations established that the accused had crossed into Pakistan for terrorist training and are currently operating from across the border, where they are allegedly involved in facilitating, coordinating and promoting militant activities.
The investigation further revealed that the properties were liable to be alienated and that the proceeds could be used to finance and sustain terrorist operations. Following approval from Police Headquarters, the assets were attached under the provisions of the UAPA to prevent their misuse for terror financing, the statement said.
Police described the action as a significant step towards disrupting the terror ecosystem by denying terror operatives access to financial resources. Reasi Police reiterated its commitment to combating terrorism through stringent legal measures and ensuring peace, security and public safety in the region.