Indian security forces in the restive Himalayan territory of Kashmir detained over 2,500 people in a sweeping overnight crackdown after suspected militants killed a police officer on Wednesday.

They also demolished the family homes of two alleged militants, Haroon Ganie and Adil Ahmad Thokar, in South Kashmir during the early hours of Thursday. Police said the suspects were associated with the outlawed Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Ashiq Hussain Qureshi, head constable with the Indian Reserve Police, was on guard duty for Hindu pilgrims visiting the Amarnath cave shrine when he was shot dead in Anantnag town. It was the first casualty in an alleged militant attack in the region this year, with police suspecting the involvement of a Pakistani militant.

In the wake of the killing, security forces detained nearly 700 people in Srinagar, 200 in Budgam, 178 in Baramulla, and 100 in Ganderbal, the Indian Express reported*. *

Police claimed they were “overground workers” who provided logistical support to militants.

Kashmir has been riven by political and armed rebellions against Indian rule and has long been one of the most militarised regions in the world. India and Pakistan rule the region in part, but claim it in full. India accuses Pakistan of fanning the separatist movement, and particularly the armed insurgency, in Kashmir. Pakistan denies the allegation.

In 2019, India revoked the semi-autonomous status of the region and brought it under direct central rule. Since then, according to activists, authorities have increasingly criminalised dissent and eroded civil liberties.

The region’s chief minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday cited a Supreme Court of India order against demolishing the home of a person accused of a crime while criticising the federal government for the latest crackdown.

“I understand the anguish of the police but the Supreme Court has issued an order stating that summary action of this kind should not be taken,” he said.

“We witnessed a similar situation after the Pahalgam attack and at that time, I had to speak to the central government to stop this.”

He also criticised the mass detention, saying such measures "will not help improve the situation in Jammu and Kashmir but will instead strain it further”.

Mehbooba Mufti, former chief minister, condemned the officer's killing but said the detentions and demolitions amounted to “collective punishment that has no place in a democracy.”