VPN use banned in several JK districts ahead of New Year alert

Srinagar: Several districts across Jammu and Kashmir have imposed a ban on the use of virtual private network (VPN) services as part of heightened security measures ahead of the New Year, officials said.

Authorities said the move aims to prevent militants and their sleeper cells from misusing the internet to communicate with handlers operating across the border, The Indian Express reported.

Shopian, Kupwara and Kulgam are the latest districts to enforce the ban, with district magistrates warning of legal action against violators.

Earlier, similar orders were issued in parts of the Jammu region, including Doda, Kishtwar, Kathua, Poonch and Rajouri, citing security concerns.

Police on Friday booked two persons in Doda district for violating the ban, while another person was arrested in Rajouri on December 14 for using a VPN application on his mobile phone, the report said.

Police sources told the newspaper that the decision followed intelligence inputs suggesting that militants may attempt to revive their networks in the Valley and parts of Jammu. Officials said VPN services have been increasingly used by militants, their handlers and overground workers to evade surveillance by security agencies.