Authorities in Jammu’s Poonch and Rajouri districts have suspended all virtual private network services for the next two months. The decision was announced in two separate public orders issued by the administrations of the two border districts, both of which are close to the Line of Control.
In the latest order issued on Sunday, Poonch Magistrate Ashok Kumar Sharma said the suspension had been enforced under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. The order came into effect immediately.
Mr. Sharma said the Senior Superintendent of Police had reported unusually high use of VPNs in several parts of the district over the past few days. According to him, this activity involved suspicious internet users and needed to be addressed quickly.
Police briefed the administration about how VPNs work and why they pose a risk. They explained that VPNs encrypt data, create private tunnels, hide IP addresses and bypass firewalls or website restrictions. This, they said, makes it difficult to track online activity and increases the possibility of cyber attacks. Officers also warned that “adversaries can use VPN services to create an atmosphere of fear” and exploit the current situation in the region.
The authorities said the decision was taken to strengthen surveillance and protect public safety. They urged residents to cooperate and said the step was necessary to maintain law and order in the sensitive border districts of Poonch and Rajouri.
