Security personnel inspect a vehicle during enhanced checks following the Anantnag terror attack in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, July 23, 2026 | Photo Credit: PTI
Security forces on Thursday (July 23, 2026) allegedly blew up and destroyed two residences of local terrorists in south Kashmir, a day after a policeman was shot dead in a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag. Meanwhile, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said mass arrests and demolitions “will not restore peace” and such demolitions are against the directions of the Supreme Court.
Official sources said the operation was launched around 3 am when several teams reached Guri village of Anantnag and Hasanpora Tavella. Local residents alleged that security forces used explosives to demolish houses after asking prisoners to leave the structures. The prisoners refused to comment on the demolition. However, local residents reported that the demolition also damaged a mosque and a car, causing huge explosions in populated areas.
The demolished houses, including a three-storey and a single-storey residential building, belonged to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists Adil Ahmad Toker and Haroon Rashid Ganai. Ganai joined LeT in 2018, officials said.
The security action comes a day after a head constable was shot dead at close range in Anantnag.
J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha chaired a high-level security review meeting in Srinagar with the participation of senior officials of the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, civil administration, Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) and other security agencies.
For Amarnath Yatra
Officials said Mr. Sinha has directed all departments and agencies to “maintain smooth coordination and ensure the safety, welfare and convenience of pilgrims undertaking the annual pilgrimage to the Amarnath cave temple.” He ordered the necessary measures to be taken “to solve weather-related problems.” The meeting focused on strengthening coordination between security agencies and civilian departments, officials said.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah questioned the demolition.
“Terrorism cannot be defeated with bulldozers or mass arrests alone. People are needed to restore lasting peace. People are outraged by the brutal murder of a police chief. But when thousands of people are detained, that anger is redirected. We must take our people with us in this fight; only then will we succeed,” Mr. Abdullah said.
He was referring to reports that the J&K Police had detained over 2,500 locals following the terror attack in a massive crackdown that spanned 10 districts of the Kashmir Valley.
On the demolition of houses, Mr. Abdullah said, “Such actions are against the spirit of the SC directions. After the attack in Pahalgam, several houses were demolished, but subsequent investigation revealed that no local resident was involved in the attack.”
Mr Abdullah said the police’s anger was understandable, “but demolishing houses and arresting a large number of people could make the situation worse.” “In such circumstances, it would be helpful to involve the public,” Mr. Abdullah said.
Former J&K chief minister and opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti said: “Detaining over a thousand people and demolishing the houses of the families of two alleged militants amounts to collective punishment which has no place in a democracy. If the Government of India itself claims that militancy has been reduced to almost zero, it should adopt a more humane and legal approach towards innocent citizens instead of resorting to tit-for-tat politics for the entire community.”
Senior NDP leader Naeem Akhtar said the security forces’ actions “could be one for the record books.” “One murder, 2,500 arrests, a couple of house demolitions. At some crucial level, there is a belief that every member of a certain demographic group is disloyal, suspicious and a potential threat,” Mr. Akhtar said.
Published – Jul 23, 2026 4:46 pm EST.