Heightened Security in Jammu & Kashmir Jails Amid Terror Threat Alerts

Srinagar, May 6 – Security has been significantly tightened across major jails in Jammu and Kashmir following credible intelligence inputs indicating possible terror strikes. High-security facilities such as Srinagar Central Jail and Kot Balwal Jail in Jammu are reportedly being considered potential targets by terrorist groups.

Sources reveal that these jails house several high-profile terrorists and sleeper cell operatives, some of whom have been known to aid active terrorists through logistical support, shelter, and coordination of movements—despite not directly engaging in attacks themselves.

The alert comes in the backdrop of the ongoing investigation into the deadly Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which claimed 26 lives. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has recently interrogated two terror associates, Nisar and Mushtaq, who are believed to be linked not only to the Pahalgam incident but also to a previous attack on an Army vehicle.

In response to the heightened threat, the Director General of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) convened a high-level meeting with senior members of the security grid in Srinagar on Sunday. The CISF, which took over the responsibility of jail security from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in October 2023, has since reviewed and reinforced security protocols to prevent any potential breach.

Meanwhile, NIA sources suggest that terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack may still be hiding in the dense forest areas of south Kashmir. Investigators believe additional operatives could have been positioned at a distance during the attack to provide possible cover-fire in the event of a security force counteroffensive.

The attackers are reportedly operating with a high level of self-sufficiency, carrying food supplies and survival gear that enable them to remain in remote terrain for extended periods without external support.

Security agencies remain on high alert as the search for the perpetrators continues.