Valley-wide crackdown on hospital lockers, car sellers continue

The J&K Police on Friday (November 21, 2025) continued with the Valley-wide crackdown on hospital lockers, fertiliser shops and car sellers, in the wake of the Red Fort car blast in New Delhi that left 15 dead on November 10. Meanwhile, a hideout of terrorists was busted in north Kashmir’s Handwara.  

Officials said lockers in Ganderbal and Handwara districts were checked by special teams of the J&K Police. “In line with ongoing efforts to strengthen security and maintain a safe and accountable environment within healthcare institutions, Police in Ganderbal carried out surprise checking of lockers belonging to doctors and staff members at various hospitals across the district,” a police spokesman said.

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The police said the inspection drives were conducted “to ensure transparency and proper adherence to security protocols”. “The aim of the exercise was to prevent any misuse of hospital premises, curb illegal activities, and reinforce institutional discipline,” the police said.

On November 7, an AK-47 rifle was recovered from Dr. Adeel Rather’s locker this month at the Anantnag medical college, where he worked as a senior resident until October 24, 2024. Dr. Rather is among two doctors arrested from Kashmir in an inter-State module case.  

The police said the special teams checked the lockers and staff storage spaces and sensitized the medical and paramedical staff about the importance of maintaining security, reporting suspicious activity, and ensuring hospital spaces are not misused.

In south Kashmir’s Anantnag, the police said a proactive effort is on “to enhance security and curb illegal activities”.

“Rigorous checking of vehicle dealers was done across the district. A special drive was carried out to ensure strict compliance with legal norms governing the sale and purchase of vehicles. The drive also focused on ensuring that no unregistered or suspicious vehicles were being stored or traded through unauthorized channels,” the police said.

Officials said the fertiliser shops were also under the police scanner.

Meanwhile, security forces busted a terror hideout in north Kashmir’s Kupwara. Officials said the hideout was traced in the Neeriyan Forest area near the Line of Control in the Nowgam sector.

Preliminary reports suggested two M-series rifles with four magazines, two Chinese pistols with three magazines, two hand grenades, and several live rounds were recovered from the hideout.

In Jammu, Northern Army Commander Lt. Gen. Pratik Sharma touredShahsitar in Poonch to assess the operational preparedness and review the prevailing security situation in the hinterland.

An Army spokesman said the Army officer was briefed on ongoing counter-terror operations and strengthened deployment measures.