- Cybercrime Recovery Touches ₹4 Crore as Kathua Police Boost Tech Use
Kathua/Jammu, Dec 31: In a decisive push to dismantle terror support networks, Jammu and Kashmir Police identified 39 overground workers (OGWs) in Kathua district during 2025, with 18 of them booked under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA), signalling an intensified crackdown on terrorism-linked activities in the border district.
Presenting the annual crime and security review for 2025, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kathua Mohita Sharma said sustained intelligence-led operations helped police strike at the roots of militant logistics and local support systems. “A focused and coordinated campaign was launched against terror-linked networks. As a result, 39 OGWs were identified and 18 were detained under the PSA,” the SSP told reporters.
During the year, four militancy-related cases were registered in the district, leading to the arrest of seven individuals, while two terrorists were neutralised in separate operations. The SSP said these actions significantly disrupted militant movement and support structures operating in the area.
Kathua Police also achieved a major breakthrough in a drone-dropping case registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, highlighting the growing nexus between narco-smuggling and terror financing. In the case, 447 grams of contraband substance were seized, and eight accused have been arrested so far, with investigations continuing to trace backward and forward linkages.
On the cybercrime front, the SSP said police efforts resulted in the recovery of nearly ₹4 crore, which was subsequently returned to the victims, reflecting improved response mechanisms and digital tracking capabilities.
The police also played a critical humanitarian role during recent floods in the district. A total of 263 people were rescued in coordinated relief operations carried out by Kathua Police with the support of other emergency agencies, the SSP said.
Outlining the roadmap ahead, Mohita Sharma announced that 2026 will be observed as the “Year of Technology” for Kathua Police. The focus will be on enhanced use of high-end surveillance tools, artificial intelligence, and advanced analytics to strengthen crime detection, investigation, and preventive policing.
Ahead of the New Year celebrations, the SSP said a high alert has been sounded across the district, with additional deployments and monitoring to ensure public safety and maintain law and order. She appealed to citizens to cooperate with security agencies and celebrate responsibly.