POONCH POLICE 2025:- The year 2025 stands as a defining chapter in the security and administrative history of Poonch a strategically sensitive border district that has long remained on the frontline of conflict, terrorism, and cross-border challenges. Against this complex backdrop, the performance of Poonch Police during the year deserves close examination, not merely as a record of statistics, but as a broader narrative of resilience, coordination, public engagement, and future preparedness.
Located along a 114-kilometre-long Line of Control (LoC), Poonch continues to face persistent threats emanating from across the border, ranging from infiltration attempts and terror modules to narcotics smuggling and cyber propaganda. In such an environment, policing is not limited to routine law enforcement; it becomes an exercise in sustained vigilance, intelligence-led operations, and community trust.
Counter-Terror Operations and Intelligence Success : One of the most significant achievements of Poonch Police in 2025 has been its intelligence-driven counter-terrorism operations in close coordination with the Indian Army. Police-generated inputs shared with security forces resulted in two successful joint operations during the year, leading to the elimination of four terrorists and the recovery of a large cache of arms and ammunition. These operations prevented potential large-scale incidents that could have severely disrupted peace in the district.Equally noteworthy was the busting of a terror module operating in the Mandi area. Timely intelligence and swift police action led to the immediate arrest of three individuals involved in terror-related activities. The subsequent investigation resulted in the recovery of an AK-747 rifle along with a substantial quantity of arms and ammunition, underlining the seriousness of the threat that was neutralized.In addition, six terrorist hideouts were detected and destroyed during the year a sharp increase compared to previous years. These hideouts, used for storing weapons and logistics, posed a grave risk had they fallen into the hands of anti-national elements.
OGW Network, Cross-Border Propaganda, and Legal ActionA major shift in the security assessment of Poonch during 2025 has been the updated identification of individuals operating across the LoC. While earlier records cited around 49 such persons, fresh verification exercises revealed that over 300 individuals are actively involved in cross-border propaganda, radicalisation, narcotics trafficking, and terror facilitation.Poonch Police initiated strict legal action against these elements and issued a clear warning that any family members or local contacts found assisting or maintaining links with such individuals would face legal consequences. Surveillance on Over Ground Worker (OGW) networks has been intensified, and action against terror associates remains ongoing.
UAPA, Narcotics, and Asset Seizure :– The impact of new criminal laws, enhanced training, and fast-track investigation mechanisms became evident in the handling of UAPA cases. While 20 UAPA cases remained under investigation at the end of the previous year, pendency has been reduced to just six cases in 2025 a significant administrative and legal achievement.On the narcotics front, Poonch Police dismantled a major drug module, recovering three kilograms of heroin — one of the largest recoveries in the district. For the first time, forward and backward linkages in a narcotics case were effectively traced. Property seizures under NDPS laws rose sharply, from ₹46 lakh last year to over ₹1.40 crore in 2025, sending a strong deterrent message.
Women Safety, Cyber Crime, and Public Outreach :- Recognizing the rising number of complaints related to women, a dedicated Women Police Station was established in Poonch during the year. This initiative significantly improved access to justice for women and ensured sensitive handling of complaints. A Cyber Police Station was also set up, resulting in faster response to cyber fraud cases and doubling the recovery of defrauded money to over ₹18 lakh.The police also acted against misuse of VPNs and online platforms for anti-national propaganda, registering FIRs and warning of strict future action.
Operation Sundoor and Civilian Support:- During Operation Sundoor and the subsequent Pakistani shelling, Poonch Police played a critical humanitarian role. Officers reached damaged homes, assisted injured civilians, and supported bereaved families under extremely dangerous conditions. For the first time, a Help Desk for Terror Victims was established under LG Administration directives, enabling long-suppressed grievances to surface and receive official redressal, including government job assistance in deserving cases.
Youth Engagement and Community Policing Understanding that long-term peace depends on youth engagement, Poonch Police conducted extensive Civic Action Programmes, sports events, awareness drives, and de-radicalisation initiatives. In 2025 alone, over 250 public awareness programmes were conducted, covering nearly every village in the district an unprecedented outreach effort.Preventive policing also saw improvement, with enhanced tenant verification, SIM vendor surveillance, and community punishment measures under new criminal laws for public disorder offences.
Looking Ahead: The Road to 2026:- As Poonch steps into 2026, the police leadership has made it clear that the district will witness zero tolerance towards terrorism, narcotics, and anti-national activities. The focus will remain on intelligence strengthening, cyber surveillance, youth awareness, and community trust-building.At the same time, internal accountability and policing reforms will be prioritize to address shortcomings observed during 2025. The ultimate objective remains clear: to establish Poonch as a terror-free, incident-free, and crime-controlled district.The relative peace witnessed in 2025 was not accidental. It was the outcome of coordinated security efforts, public cooperation, media responsibility, and institutional resolve. As challenges evolve, so must policing strategies and Poonch Police appears determined to meet that test.
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