J&K, 05 Dec : In a significant development, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) carried out raids at eight locations in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, intensifying its crackdown on terror funding. The operations, conducted in collaboration with Jammu and Kashmir Police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), are still ongoing at seven locations in Kashmir and one in Jammu. The targeted areas include Shopian and Baramulla, encompassing residences and potential hideouts of individuals connected to the terror funding case.
These raids come in the aftermath of the recent arrest made by the NIA in a Pakistan-backed terrorism case. The arrested individual, 22-year-old Zakir Hussain from Kathua district in Jammu and Kashmir, was apprehended by the NIA Jammu Branch on November 27. The central agency had shared key information on November 29, leading to the subsequent raids.
The NIA had taken over the case from the Kathua Police on July 30 last year and has since been actively pursuing leads. The arrested suspects are believed to be involved in facilitating the delivery of weapons to militants in Kashmir through the use of drones. Notably, one of the seven previously arrested individuals had passed away due to a cardiac arrest while in judicial custody, and two Pakistan-based terror operatives remain at large.
The intensified investigation by the NIA aims to uncover a larger conspiracy orchestrated by Pakistan-backed terrorist groups. The focus is on understanding and thwarting plans to carry out acts of terror and violence not only in the Kashmir valley but also across India. As the raids continue, the agency is determined to dismantle the network of individuals involved in terror funding and to ensure the security and stability of the region and the nation at large.
