Sleuths from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted raids in various locations across Kashmir on Monday as part of an ongoing terror-related investigation. The NIA simultaneously carried out operations in different areas of Srinagar and other districts in the Valley to crack down on terror networks, overground workers (OGWs), and suspected terror-funding activities. Raids were reported at the banned Jamaat-e-Islami-linked Siraj-ul-Uloom in the Imam Sahib area of Shopian and in Srinagar.
NIA teams, supported by the J&K Police and paramilitary forces, were seen searching residential premises associated with suspected individuals. The searches encompassed residential areas in the Lal Nazar region of Srinagar and the Imam Sahib area of Shopian. The operations targeted the JeI-linked Siraj-ul-Uloom institution and the residence of Shahzada Aurangzeb, former chief of the banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI).
The ongoing operations are aimed at dismantling covert terror networks, disrupting financial pipelines, and combating anti-India conspiracies in the region. The NIA’s searches in Kashmir are primarily linked to investigations into Pakistan-backed terror plots, cross-border terror funding, targeted civilian/non-local killings, and misuse of cross-LoC trade. These investigations also focus on NGOs and trusts channeling funds into Kashmir for subversive and secessionist activities.
The NIA’s actions target the banned socio-political group Jamaat-e-Islami (J&K) for fundraising for unlawful and secessionist activities, as well as groups like The Resistance Front (TRF) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) for radicalizing local youth and orchestrating violent attacks. Additionally, efforts are being made to dismantle sleeper cells, Overground Workers (OGWs), and hybrid terrorists planning attacks with smuggled IEDs. The crackdown also includes actions against recently banned religious seminaries and leadership associates in the Shopian district to neutralize support networks.
