Indian security forces have detained more than 500 people in the northern union territory of Jammu and Kashmir on suspicion of connections with terrorists, the Indian Express reported, citing police.

Most of the detainees are related to militants from terrorist and separatist groups.

This is the first time that security forces have carried out mass detentions of relatives of extremists in Jammu and Kashmir, the newspaper notes. This was a harsh response to the killing of a retired army officer and an attempt on his family members by terrorists in the Kulgam district of Kashmir on Monday.

According to Indian security agencies, terrorist groups have significantly increased their armed attacks in the region in 2024 compared to the previous year and are currently active in six districts of Indian-controlled Kashmir.