Valley raids for spreading anti-India spin, aiding terrorists

SRINAGAR: J&K police’s State Investigation Agency (SIA) announced Sunday searches and detention of several suspects across 20 locations in all districts of south Kashmir for allegedly propagating “anti-India narrative” and engaging in “terrorist conspiracy”.

SIA claimed to have busted a sleeper cell whose operatives were in direct contact with handlers in Pakistan, conveying sensitive and strategic information about security forces and vital installations. The crackdown came a day after Islamabad and New Delhi declared a pause in conflict.

“Substantial incriminating materials have been seized,” the SIA said, adding the raids were carried out under UAPA Act.

According to an SIA statement, preliminary investigations “clearly brought out that these entities are actively engaged in terrorist conspiracy, propagating and furthering narratives aimed not only at challenging sovereignty and territorial integrity of India but also at inciting disaffection, public disorder, and communal hatred”.

Surveillance has stepped up on terror associates and over ground workers (OGWs) in Kashmir. “Technical intelligence indicated that a host of sleeper cells in Kashmir were in direct contact with their handlers in Pakistan and were involved in conveying sensitive information via messaging apps including, but not limited, to WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal and so on,” SIA’s statement read.

These terror associates were also involved in spreading online radical propaganda at the behest of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Muhammad commanders, the agency said. “SIA is steadfast in its commitment to safeguard national security and uphold public order. It will continue to take firm action against individuals or groups involved in any kind of secessionist and terrorist activities,” the statement added.
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