Srinagar, Apr 26 (UNI) In a major offensive against militancy in Kashmir, the homes of the four more suspected militants were “demolished using explosives” since Friday evening in Kashmir.

The offensive coincided with large-scale arrests and raids against the militant sympathizers in wake of Pahalgam attack earlier this week that left 25 tourists and one local dead.

Officials said three houses belonging to Ehsan Sheikh of Muran in Pulwama district; Zakir Ahmad of Matalhama Kulgam and Shahid Ahmad Kuttay of Chotipora Shopian were blown up during the night.

According to police, Sheikh, Ahmad and Kuttay are associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba.

“In connection with the recent terror attack, three houses belonging to terrorists in South Kashmir during the night were damaged in blast,” they said.

The house of another militant, Farooq Tedwa, who crossed Line of Control in early 1990s and is now reportedly based in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) was damaged in a blast in Kalaroos Kupwara on Saturday.

During intervening night of April 24-25, the homes of the two Lashkar militants - Adil Thoker of Anantnag and Asif Sheikh of Tral Pulwama were “demolished using explosives” in south Kashmir. Police have formally named Adil as one of the militants responsible for the Pahalgam attack.

In the last over three decades, many houses have caught fire or been blown apart during encounters.

While the police has not officially commented on these actions, top government sources said demolitions are meant to deter locals from joining militancy and send a strong message that those who join terror groups will bring serious consequences not just for the individuals, but also for their families.

No Kashmiri politicians has so far reacted to the blasting of these houses.

Meanwhile, while the attackers behind the Pahalgam carnage are still at large, Anantnag district police said they have detained 175 people for questioning.

Police said that over the last four days, joint teams of the Anantnag Police, Army, CRPF, and other agencies have been conducting extensive cordon and search operations across the district, targeting suspected hideouts and support networks.

“As part of these operations, numerous raids were conducted at various locations throughout the district. Day and night search operations are underway with heightened vigilance. So far, around 175 suspected have been detained for questioning to dismantle the support networks aiding terrorist activities,” a police statement said.

In a major crackdown in Srinagar, police on Saturday carried out extensive searches at the residences of over 60 terror associates in Srinagar district.

The raids targeted the residences of Over Ground Workers (OGWs) and terrorist associates as part of investigations into cases registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in the district, police said.

“The searches were carried out to seize weapons, documents, digital devices, etc., with the objective of evidence collection and intelligence gathering to detect and deter any conspiratorial or terrorist activity against the security of the nation,” police statement said

They said searches were held across the length and breadth of the city to dismantle the terrorist ecosystem.

The searches were conducted at the residences of 63 OGW and militant associates. Some of them whose houses were searched, are in jail.

Police said the searches were conducted in accordance with proper legal procedures in the presence of Executive Magistrates and independent witnesses under the supervision of the officers of J&K Police.

“This decisive action of J&K Police aims to dismantle the terrorist ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir by identifying and taking legal action against individuals engaged in such anti-national and criminal activities,” the statement said.

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