Bandipora Police Arrest Six, Including Four Women, in Alleged Pakistan-Linked JKIM Module Bust

Jammu and Kashmir Police in Bandipora district on Saturday, October 24, 2026, said they had dismantled a clandestine module linked to the banned organisation Jammu and Kashmir Ittihad-ul-Muslimeen (JKIM), arresting six people, including four women, in connection with the case. Police said the network was allegedly operating under the directions of a Pakistan-based handler and was involved in prison-linked networking, secret meetings, ideological mobilisation of women and receiving cross-border funds for separatist propaganda activities.

The case has been registered as FIR No. 168/2026 at Police Station Bandipora under Sections 10 and 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, as amended. These provisions deal with membership of an unlawful association and unlawful activities linked to the promotion of the ideology of a proscribed organisation and mobilisation of support for its objectives.

The arrested persons have been identified as Waheed Ahmad Bhat, also referred to as Butt, son of Mohd Maqbool Bhat, a resident of Bhat Mohallah, Kachloo Qazipora in Handwara, Kupwara district; Mubeena Bano, also written as Banoo, daughter of Gh Ahmad Dar of Dachigam, Bandipora; Kushboo Jan, also referred to as Khushboo Jan, daughter of Ab Rashid Sheikh of Check Panzigam, Bandipora; Mehak Jan, daughter of Mohd Sultan Sheikh of Check Panzigam, Bandipora; Aliya Jan, also written as Alia or Aaliya Jan, daughter of Ab Rashid Sheikh of Check Panzigam, Bandipora; and Irfan Ahmed Reshi, alias Rayees or Rais, son of Gh Nabi Reshi of Ananwan, Handwara, Kupwara.

Of the six arrested, two are from Handwara in Kupwara district and four are from Bandipora. Police said they are also examining the alleged role of a religious cleric, described as a preacher or maulvi, along with two suspected couriers from Kupwara who remain at large.

Investigators said the probe first focused on Waheed Ahmad Bhat. He had earlier been arrested under the UAPA in 2022 in connection with a conference. While lodged in Kupwara Jail, Bhat allegedly re-established contact with a Pakistan-based handler identified as Manzoor Ahmad Shah. Police said that, with the help of another inmate, a network was developed to spread separatist ideology, organise meetings and expand support, including by involving women in outreach and mobilisation efforts.

According to police, the network became more active after Bhat was released on medical grounds in August 2024. Investigators claim that 14 to 15 clandestine meetings were held in Bandipora and adjoining areas. Of these, five to six were allegedly held at a small hotel on the Bandipora-Baramulla road. Police said women were specifically targeted for propaganda-related work.

Officials also said they have uncovered an alleged funding trail linked to the module. Around ₹7–8 lakh is said to have been channelled over more than a year. Of this, about ₹2.26 lakh was allegedly deposited into the Jammu and Kashmir Bank account of Mubeena Bano of Dachigam, Bandipora. The remaining money was reportedly delivered through cash couriers. Police said some of the funds were distributed among associates, while a portion was used for Bhat’s medical treatment and related expenses.

JKIM, also known as Ittihadul Muslimeen, is headed by Masroor Abbas Ansari and is a constituent of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference. The Ministry of Home Affairs declared it an “unlawful association” under the UAPA on March 11, 2025, for five years. The government had cited the organisation’s alleged involvement in anti-national and subversive activities, support for terrorism, fuelling secessionist activities, mobilisation of funds for unlawful purposes and promotion of hatred against the established government. The ban was later upheld by a special tribunal.

Bandipora Police said the investigation is continuing to establish the full reach of the network, its operational structure, communication channels, sources of funding and the specific roles of the arrested persons and others under scrutiny. Officials said the module allegedly sought to use women to spread separatist ideology, apparently on the assumption that they would attract less scrutiny.

The case comes amid continuing security operations in north Kashmir against alleged residual networks linked to banned organisations and cross-border handlers. Police said further details are expected as the probe moves forward.