The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued an advisory on Saturday (April 25) urging news media channels to avoid live coverage of defence operations and security forces movements to protect national security interests. This directive follows recent reporting on the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir that resulted in 26 fatalities, primarily tourists.
“In the interest of national security, all media platforms, news agencies, and social media users are advised to exercise utmost responsibility and adhere strictly to existing laws and regulations while reporting on matters concerning defence and other security-related operations,” the ministry stated in its advisory.
The guidance specifically prohibits “real-time coverage, dissemination of visuals, or reporting based on ‘sources-based’ information related to defence operations or movement.”
The ministry emphasized that premature disclosure of sensitive information could inadvertently aid hostile elements and compromise both operational effectiveness and personnel safety. The advisory referenced previous incidents including the Kargil war, the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, and the Kandahar hijacking, when “unrestricted coverage had unintended adverse consequences on national interests.”
Intelligence Agencies Identify 14 Local Terror Operatives
In the wake of the recent Pahalgam terror attack, intelligence agencies have identified 14 local terrorists currently active in Jammu and Kashmir. According to sources, these individuals, ranging in age from 20 to 40 years, provide critical ground support and logistics assistance to foreign terrorists from Pakistan.
The identified operatives are affiliated with three major Pakistan-backed terrorist organizations: Lashkar-e-Taiba (8 members), Jaish-e-Mohammed (3 members), and Hizbul Mujahideen (3 members).
Identified Terrorists and Their Affiliations
The intelligence list names the following individuals:
- Adil Rehman Dentoo (21) – LeT Sopore district commander since 2021
- Asif Ahmed Sheikh (28) – JeM Awantipora district commander, active since 2022
- Ahsan Ahmed Sheikh (23) – LeT operative in Pulwama since 2023
- Haris Nazir (20) – LeT member active in Pulwama since 2023
- Aamir Nazir Wani (20) – JeM member in Pulwama since 2024
- Yawar Ahmed Bhat – JeM operative in Pulwama since 2024
- Asif Ahmed Khanday (24) – Hizbul Mujahideen member from Shopian, active since July 2015
- Naseer Ahmed Wani (21) – LeT operative in Shopian since 2019
- Shahid Ahmed Kutay (27) – Associated with LeT and its proxy group The Resistance Front (TRF) in Shopian since 2023
- Aamir Ahmed Dar – LeT operative in Shopian since 2023
- Adnan Safi Dar – Works with LeT and TRF in Shopian since 2024, facilitating information from Pakistani handlers
- Zubair Ahmed Wani (39) – Hizbul Mujahideen Chief Operational Commander in Anantnag, categorized as an A+ terrorist active since 2018
- Haroon Rashid Ganai (32) – Hizbul Mujahideen member from Anantnag who received training in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir in 2018
- Zakir Ahmed Ganie (29) – LeT operative from Kulgam involved in attacks on security forces
The identification of these local operatives comes as authorities intensify efforts to dismantle terrorist support networks following the April 22 Pahalgam attack that claimed 26 tourist lives, including three attackers reportedly from Pakistan.
Security forces have launched coordinated operations across South Kashmir, particularly in Anantnag and Pulwama districts. Officials indicate these names are part of a broader intelligence effort to prevent future attacks and disrupt terrorist logistics networks in the region.