Two Jammu and Kashmir Residents Booked for Entering Notified Area Near Pakistan Border in Kutch
The Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Kutch (West) Police in Gujarat has registered a case against two residents of Jammu and Kashmir for allegedly entering a notified area near the International Border with Pakistan. The incident occurred near Narayan Sarovar in Kutch district, where security measures are particularly stringent.
Details of the Case and the Accused Individuals
On January 25, 2026, police officials booked Javed Iqbal Mohammad Ashraf Shaikh, aged 30, and Mohammad Mushtaq Hassandeen Raisi, aged 25. Both individuals are residents of Atoli village in the Mandi taluka of Poonch district in Jammu and Kashmir. The case was filed under section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to disobedience of lawful orders promulgated by a public servant.
Police Inspector A D Parmar of the SOG stated, "When the local police informed us they were in the notified area, we detained the two men and booked them for breach of prohibitory orders." He emphasized that the local police in these border regions are on high alert for any outsiders, especially given the heightened security following recent events such as the blast near Red Fort, Operation Sindoor, and Republic Day preparations.
Journey and Motivation Behind the Visit
According to police officials, the two men embarked on a lengthy journey from Jammu and Kashmir to Gujarat. They traveled on the Jammu Tawi Express to Ajmer in Rajasthan and then took a bus to Gandhidham in Kutch. From there, they proceeded to Mandvi, then to Naliya, before finally heading to Narayan Sarovar.
Inspector Parmar explained their stated purpose: "They wanted to visit a village there as they had come to this area to collect donations from various mosques and community leaders. They said they are farmers in their village in Poonch." When questioned, the officer confirmed that no objectionable items were found on the individuals. However, as a precautionary measure, their mobile phones have been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for further examination.
Security Implications and Legal Proceedings
This incident highlights the ongoing vigilance in border areas, particularly in regions like Kutch that share an international boundary with Pakistan. The police have maintained strict prohibitory orders in notified zones to prevent unauthorized entry, which is considered a serious offense given the sensitive nature of these locations.
The booking of these two individuals underscores the importance of adhering to legal protocols in border regions. Authorities continue to monitor such activities closely to ensure national security is not compromised. The case remains under investigation as police await forensic reports and further details about the men's activities during their visit.
