In Jammu and Kashmir's Samba district, authorities have reimposed a night curfew in a two-kilometer belt along the International Border (IB). The curfew, which will be in effect daily from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. for the next two months, aims to bolster security and prevent illegal activities in the area. This decision, made in consultation with security agencies, is intended to support Border Security Force (BSF) operations and curb cross-border infiltration.
District Magistrate Ayushi Sudan issued an order stating that civilian movement will be strictly regulated during these hours. Individuals moving for valid reasons must carry identification and be prepared for checks by BSF or police personnel. Violators will face legal action.
The curfew has been implemented to strengthen border monitoring and prevent unlawful activities, particularly the smuggling of arms and narcotics. The Sanyal belt of Samba, which falls within the curfew zone, experienced a deadly encounter in May in which four policemen were killed and three others were injured. Security officials have emphasized that tighter border monitoring during night hours is critical to maintaining peace and preventing future flare-ups in the region.
The area has been witnessing night curfews until the first week of January this year. The reimposition of the night curfew is part of a broader strategy to prevent infiltration. The BSF, which guards the 198-km IB in the Jammu region, is responsible for maintaining security along this stretch of the 2,912-km India-Pakistan border.
The timing of this decision coincides with the ongoing "Har Ghar Tiranga" campaign, which encourages citizens to hoist the Tricolour at their homes from August 2nd to 15th. Coinciding with this, the Border Security Force (BSF) has initiated a high-intensity security drive, 'Operation Alert', along the Rajasthan border in the run-up to Independence Day 2025. This operation aims to strengthen border security, rehearse Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and counter potential threats.
The Indian government has been actively working to strengthen border management through various means, including building fences, improving infrastructure, and deploying technology. The Department of Border Management, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, is responsible for all matters related to land and coastal borders.
The Samba district magistrate has also issued orders under Section 163 of BNSS 2023, banning the sale, use, and storage of nylon thread and Chinese Manjha in the district. These measures reflect a multi-faceted approach to maintaining security and preventing illegal activities in the border region.
