New Delhi: In an anti-terror operation, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted massive search operations across 32 locations in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday. This sweeping crackdown is part of the agency’s ongoing investigation following the Pahalgam terror attack last month.
The targeted premises allegedly included the residences of “hybrid terrorists” and “overground workers” (OGWs) associated with several Pakistan-based terror groups. These include The Resistance Front (TRF), United Liberation Front Jammu & Kashmir (ULFJ&K), Mujahideen Gazwat-ul-Hind (MGH), Jammu & Kashmir Freedom Fighters (JKFF), Kashmir Tigers, and PAAF.
“The locations were residential premises of hybrid terrorists and overground workers associated with these Pakistan-based offshoots such as The Resistance Front (TRF), United Liberation Front Jammu & Kashmir (ULFJ&K), Mujahideen Gazwat-ul-Hind (MGH), Jammu & Kashmir Freedom Fighters (JKFF), Kashmir Tigers, PAAF and others, which are affiliated to proscribed terrorist organisations such as Laskar-e-Toiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Al- Badr etc,” the statement issued by the agency reads.
According to the NIA’s statement, the individuals whose premises were searched are under intense scrutiny for their alleged involvement in a range of terror-supporting activities. These include facilitating active terrorists, as well as the collection and distribution of dangerous weaponry like sticky bombs, magnetic bombs, and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). Furthermore, they are suspected of involvement in the channelling of funds, narcotic substances, and conventional arms and ammunition.
Investigations have revealed that operatives based in Pakistan have been actively conspiring to commit acts of terror and violence “According to the NIA investigations, the organisations supported by their leaders in Pakistan have been conspiring to commit acts of terror and violence by radicalising local youth and mobilizing overground workers, to disturb peace and communal harmony in J&K,” it reads further.
It added that investigations have revealed that Pak-based operatives were using social media/online apps to facilitate and promote terror. “Drones were being used by them to deliver arms/ammunition, explosives, narcotics etc. to their operatives and cadres in the Kashmir valley”.
During today’s extensive searches, NIA claimed to have recovered two live cartridges, a fired bullet head, and a bayonet. More significantly, numerous digital devices containing vast volumes of incriminating data and documents were seized.
