Police Take Action Against 43 for Unauthorized VPN Use in South Kashmir District | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Police in south kashmir’s Pulwama district on Thursday identified 95 individuals using unauthorized Virtual Private Network (VPN) services during a district-wide verification and monitoring drive, carried out in compliance with the prohibitory orders issued by the District Magistrate, Pulwama, on 29 December 2025.

Police said the order restricts the use of unauthorized VPN applications to prevent the misuse of encrypted and digital platforms that could pose risks to public safety and cyber security.

A police spokesperson stated that all identified devices underwent technical analysis, data scrutiny, and background verification, during which no terror-related or adverse security background was found. Consequently, no FIR was registered.

However, in a preventive action, the police initiated security proceedings against 43 individuals for violating the prohibitory orders, most of whom fall in the 18–40 age group. The proceedings were launched under relevant security provisions to ensure future compliance.

The spokesperson added that genuine users, whose devices showed no suspicious links or activities, were released after detailed forensic device analysis, along with a strict warning to discontinue VPN usage and avoid accessing restricted encrypted applications going forward.

Pulwama Police reiterated that the initiative is part of a broader effort to enforce lawful directives, prevent misuse of digital tools, and safeguard public order and cyber security in the district.

“Pulwama Police remains committed to upholding legal orders and taking necessary preventive measures in the interest of public safety and cyber security,” the statement read.