The Jammu and Kashmir Police said on Tuesday, October 27, that they have arrested a Kashmiri Pandit activist in Haryana for allegedly issuing threat letters to recruits from the community, warning them to stay away from the Valley, news agency IANS reported.
Source: IANS via hi INDiA
Police said Rakesh Handoo was arrested by a team of Baramulla Police from Faridabad in Haryana on October 17 over his alleged involvement in the threats circulated in August, which reportedly carried the names and contact details of Kashmiri Pandit employees.
Inspector General of Police (Kashmir zone) Sujit Kumar said police had gathered substantial clues regarding Handoo's alleged involvement. Police have booked him under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and cyber-related charges. The allegations remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings.
A separate detailed account credited to India Today said the case stems from FIR No. 151/2026 registered at Baramulla Police Station under Section 66F (cyberterrorism) and Section 84C of the Information Technology Act, following a complaint by Rohit Raina, a Prime Minister's package employee posted in the Finance Department in Baramulla. That account alleged Handoo repeatedly shared and amplified threatening circulars purportedly issued by an outfit calling itself the United Liberation Council, and that he was detained from his residence in Greater Faridabad and moved on transit remand after allegedly failing to appear despite notices.
Source: India Today via News89
The threat letters had triggered serious anxiety among employees appointed under the Prime Minister's special employment package for Kashmiri Pandits. Hundreds were placed on administrative leave and asked to stay away from their duties for almost three weeks amid security concerns, Kashmir News Trust reported.
Source: Kashmir News Trust
Following threats and targeted attacks on migrant workers during July and August, authorities had launched a major crackdown in which more than 3,000 people were arrested as suspected overground workers of terrorist groups, according to the reports. About 6,000 Kashmiri Pandits have been given government jobs under the Prime Minister's special employment package rolled out in 2010.
According to the grounds of arrest served on Handoo's wife on October 17, the case involves a non-bailable offence. Police had registered an FIR on September 21 and asked him to appear in Baramulla on September 26, the KNT account said, citing sources that he did not appear despite repeated summons. Handoo has not been convicted of any offence, and the case will be decided by the courts on the evidence.