JAMMU, Oct 5: Jammu and Kashmir’s high-security prison at Dambra in Mahanpur, Kathua, is set to house terrorists and other high-risk inmates separately from the general prison population.
Located in a remote hilly area, the facility has a capacity of around 600 inmates and includes separate barracks and cells for prisoners requiring heightened security. Top terrorists and Public Safety Act (PSA) detainees lodged in Kot Bhalwal, Srinagar and other prisons are likely to be shifted there once the facility becomes operational.
The move is aimed at strengthening prison security and limiting contact between hardcore terrorists and other inmates, amid concerns that vulnerable prisoners could be exposed to radicalisation or unauthorised communication.
The prison was formally notified as “High Security Prison, Mahanpur” by the J&K Home Department in April 2026. The government has also sanctioned 342 posts for its functioning.
The facility is being equipped with advanced surveillance and security systems to monitor activities inside and around the prison and prevent unauthorised use of mobile phones and other electronic devices.
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has been assigned security duties at the facility, adding a specialised security layer to the prison’s operations.
Recent inspections found the construction and associated works nearing completion, with officials directed to finish the remaining work at the earliest. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to inaugurate the facility after the remaining works are completed.
The new prison is expected to reduce pressure on existing facilities, particularly Kot Bhalwal and Srinagar jails, while providing a dedicated high-security environment for terrorists and other sensitive detainees.
