J&K: Police arrest 30 in a week for giving SIMs to militants

The arrests come amid a spate of attacks in Jammu division where more than 50 Army personnel have been killed in the past couple of years. The past few months have also seen a spurt in encounters in the Valley.

“Recently inspections across multiple districts, including Srinagar, Ganderbal, Anantnag, Budgam, Pulwama, Shopian, Bandipora, Samba and Kishtwar have been conducted to ensure strict adherence to know your customer (KYC) norms and proper documentation by SIM card vendors. These measures aim to prevent unauthorised issuance of SIM cards and maintain the integrity of communication networks,” said a J&K police officer.

Sources said cards belonging to 30 people had been acquired by militants over the last year.

According to another senior J&K police officer, militants earlier used SIM cards under fake names since KYC norms in the Valley were not very strict. In 2021-22, as terror activities began shifting towards the Jammu division, police began getting SIM card vendors to verify the biometrics of the purchaser.

“This stopped the use of fake SIM cards. Terrorists then started using overground workers to get SIM cards. These workers would typically get it from a friend or purchase SIMs in their name and give it to terrorists. Local militants, in many cases, used the SIM cards of their wives or other relatives, putting them in trouble later,” the officer said.

Sources said that police have not taken coercive action in cases where the registered SIM user was unaware of its illegal use. “However, if a SIM card used by a terrorist is in your name, the law will take its course and you are going to face considerable trouble,” the officer said.

Police are focusing on also creating awareness among the public so that they do not hand their SIM cards to others.

“Police have appealed to the citizens to be careful with the SIM cards issued in their names. If any such card is found to be used by terrorists and other organised criminal gangs, strict legal action will be taken against them,” said the officer.