The Jammu and Kashmir Police targeted over 130 locals on January 1, 2026, for using banned virtual private network (VPN) apps in the Kashmir valley. VPN use has been prohibited in all 10 Kashmir districts since last week. In Pulwama, south Kashmir, police identified 95 VPN users and started "preventive action". A police spokesman said, "The Pulwama Police enforced the District Magistrate’s on unauthorized VPN usage. Ninety five individuals were identified and following technical scrutiny and background verification, no terror-related adverse background was detected and no FIR has been registered." Security proceedings began against 43 users mostly aged 18 to 40 for breaking the rules. "Genuine users were released after detailed device analysis with a strict warning to refrain from VPN usage in the future," police added. In Baramulla’s Sopore area, 23 people were caught using VPNs illegally. Security action is underway against 15 of them. Police also acted against 5 persons in Anantnag and 6 in Kulgam districts for VPN use. The bans come from orders by district magistrates under Section 163 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. The orders cited risks of VPNs being used for "unlawful and anti-national activities," such as inciting unrest and spreading inflammatory material. The orders stated, "VPNs enable encrypted data transmission, mask IP addresses, bypass firewalls and website restrictions, and may expose sensitive information to potential cyber threats." Several districts in Jammu’s Pir Panchal and Chenab valleys have banned VPNs over the past year. In a separate security update, Army officials in Poonch district found an ammunition packet apparently dropped by drone from across the Line of Control. The 06 Madras Regiment destroyed an Improvised Explosive Device weighing about two kilograms. The package also contained 70 rounds of AK-47 ammunition and one kilogram of narcotics. Following the discovery, the security forces launched multiple search operations in the area amid high alert.