J&K Police storm 20 locations in Kashmir: 'Sleeper cells were in direct touch with Pakistani handlers'

J&K

State Investigation Agency (SIA) of the J&K Police on Sunday carried out raids at several places across South Kashmir in connection with a case involving the sharing of “sensitive and strategic information” related to security forces and key installations through messaging apps, the agency said.

The SIA, which serves as Jammu and Kashmir’s counterpart of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), said it has detained multiple individuals and seized important evidence during the operation. According to an official statement, the Jammu and Kashmir Police have been closely monitoring individuals suspected of aiding terror groups and overground workers (OGWs).

“J&K police are keeping a surveillance on the terror associates and overground workers (OGWs working in Kashmir. Technical intelligence indicated that a host of sleeper cells in Kashmir were in direct contact with their handlers based in Pakistan and were involved in conveying sensitive and strategic information about security forces and vital installations via messaging apps including but not limited to WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal and so on,” SIA said in an official release.

The SIA was set up in 2021 to act as the main agency in Jammu and Kashmir for coordinating with the NIA and other central bodies to ensure quick and effective investigation and prosecution of terror-related cases.

On Sunday morning, the agency launched simultaneous raids at 20 locations across four districts, Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam, and Anantnag. These searches were part of an investigation registered under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967.

“These terror associates were also involved in online radical propaganda on the behest of terrorist commanders of Lashkar-e- Taiba and Jaish-e- Muhammad, impinging upon the national security and integrity,” the SIA said. “Preliminary investigation has clearly brought out that these entities are actively engaged in terrorist conspiracy, propagating and furthering anti-India narratives aimed not only at challenging the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India but also at inciting disaffection, public disorder, and communal hatred”.

The investigating agency said that it has recovered “substantial incriminating materials” during the raids and detained several persons for further questioning.