Srinagar : Amid a ban on the use of virtual private network (VPN) services in several districts of Kashmir, the J&K Police on Thursday initiated action against 26 individuals for violating the orders.
Police said the violators were using unauthorised VPN services in the Sopore sub-district, Anantnag and Kulgam districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
Police said they identified 23 individuals using unauthorized VPN services in Sopore in violation of the prohibitory orders issued by the District Magistrate, Baramulla.
Security proceedings have been initiated against 15 such individuals for non-compliance with the said orders, police said.
On December 29, the District Magistrate, Baramulla, issued prohibitory orders banning the use of unauthorised VPNs to curb misuse of online platforms, including encrypted applications.
Over the last few days, several districts that include Kupwara, Srinagar, Budgam, Kulgam, Shopian, Pulwama and Ganderbal have banned the use of VPN service “citing a threat to national security and apprehensions of incitement to unrest.”
In south Kashmir, police initiated action against five individuals in Anantnag for using unauthorised VPN services in violation of prohibitory orders issued by the District Magistrate on December 27, 2025. Police said the action was taken to prevent misuse of online platforms, including encrypted applications, which may pose risks to public safety.
In a similar action, Kulgam Police identified six persons using unauthorised VPN services in violation of prohibitory orders. Security proceedings have been initiated against all six for non-compliance with the administrative orders, police said.
Last week, two people were booked by police in the Doda district of the Jammu region for using VPN services in violation of the ban.
