Police on Sunday said that it has arrested 30 persons for passing SIM cards to terrorists.
A police spokesman said police has ramped up efforts to curb the misuse of SIM cards by terrorists and criminal elements in J&K.
He said extensive inspections have been carried out across multiple districts, including Srinagar, Ganderbal, Anantnag, Budgam, Pulwama, Shopian, Bandipora, Samba, and Kishtwar, to ensure strict compliance with Know Your Customer (KYC) norms by SIM card vendors.
These measures aim to prevent unauthorized issuance and misuse of SIM cards, maintaining the security and integrity of communication networks, the spokesman said.
“Over the past year, more than 30 individuals have been arrested for procuring SIM cards in their names and passing them on to terrorists for unlawful activities. The State Investigation Agency and district police units continue to take firm action against such violations,” he said.
He said police remains committed to public safety and will continue enforcement measures to prevent the exploitation of communication networks by anti-national and criminal elements.
Citizens have been urged to exercise caution regarding SIM cards issued in their names.
“Any individual found facilitating the misuse of SIM cards for terrorism or organized crime will face strict legal consequences,” police has warned.
Last week the Criminal Investigation Kashmir (CIK) wing of Jammu and Kashmir police detained five persons in Srinagar over alleged involvement in smuggling inside the Valley's biggest central jail.
Many instances in the past surfaced where police seized SIM cards from inmates in the Central Jail in Srinagar and Kotbalwal Jail in Jammu.
Police said it will continue enforcement measures to prevent the exploitation of communication networks by anti-national and criminal elements.
The police have asked the citizens to exercise caution regarding SIM cards issued in their names.
“Any individual found facilitating the misuse of SIM cards for terrorism or organised crime will face strict legal consequences,” it said.