J&K Authorities Demolish Homes of Suspected Militant Associates in South Kashmir

Srinagar, J&K, (Indian administered Kashmir): Authorities in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir have demolished three more homes belonging to individuals accused of being associated with the armed group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in the southern districts of Pulwama, Shopian, and Kulgam. This comes in the wake of the recent attack in Pahalgam, bringing the total number of homes razed in the past 24 hours to five.

The demolished properties belonged to Ahsan Sheikh from Pulwama, Shahid Ahmad Kuttay from Shopian, and Zahid Ahmed from Kulgam. According to official sources, Ahsan was allegedly among three local operatives who provided logistical and direct support to foreign fighters involved in the Pahalgam attack. Kuttay and Ahmed have been accused of involvement in what authorities describe as “anti-national activities” over the past three to four years.

Earlier on Friday, the homes of two other individuals Asif Sheikh and Adil Thoker were also destroyed. Authorities stated that all family members had been evacuated before the demolitions, which were carried out with “precision strikes” to avoid damage to neighboring properties.

A government official, speaking anonymously, defended the move as part of a broader strategy to deter local support for armed groups. “This action is aimed at disincentivizing local involvement in militancy or any form of assistance to armed fighters,” the official said. “It serves as a warning that those who take up arms will not only face consequences themselves, but their families will also bear the burden—losing access to government benefits, jobs, and even passports.”

The demolitions align with the Indian government’s stated “zero-tolerance policy” toward armed resistance in the region. However, such measures have often drawn criticism from human rights groups, who argue that collective punishment tactics disproportionately affect civilians and deepen resentment among the local population.

The latest actions come amid heightened tensions in the region, where armed groups continue to operate despite intensified military operations. The government maintains that such steps are necessary to curb militancy, while critics view them as part of a broader pattern of punitive measures against Kashmiri civilians.