The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted a series of targeted raids across four districts of Kashmir on Monday as part of its ongoing investigations into the alleged conspiracy of newly-formed offshoots of Pakistan-backed terrorist outfits to destabilize J&K.
According to the NIA, 12 locations across the four districts of Kulgam, Bandipora, Shopian and Pulwama were raided as part of the crackdown. The residences of hybrid terrorists, overground workers, and sympathizers linked with the newly formed offshoots and affiliates of banned terrorist outfits were searched extensively in the raids. The NIA spokesperson said that digital devices containing large volumes of incriminating data were recovered.
The newly floated terror outfits being probed by the NIA include 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 who are affiliated with Pakistan-backed organizations. The NIA said that these organizations are actively conspiring to commit acts of terror and violence with the support of their masters in Pakistan. The investigations by NIA have revealed that Pak-based operatives were using social media platforms to promote terror. Drones were being used by them to deliver arms/ammunition, explosives, narcotics, etc. to their operatives and cadres in the Kashmir valley.
The cadres and workers whose premises were raided have been engaged in spreading activities relating to terror, violence and subversion in J&K as per the NIA investigations. They are under the NIA’s scanner for their involvement in the collection and distribution of sticky bombs/magnetic bombs, IEDs, funds, narcotic substances, and arms/ammunitions.
The terror conspiracy under investigation relates to plotting by the banned outfits in both physical and cyber space to unleash violent terrorist attacks in J&K with sticky bombs, IEDs, and small arms. They have been conspiring to radicalize local youth and mobilize overground workers in J&K to disturb the peace and communal harmony.
The investigations by NIA have been ongoing for a year, following a suo moto case registered on 21st June 2022. NIA has uncovered several terror plots by these newly-formed offshoots of Pakistan-backed terrorist outfits, indicating the increasing threat they pose to J&K’s security.
The NIA crackdown is a significant step in preventing and countering terror activities by Pakistan-based terror organizations in J&K. The move comes in the wake of rising tensions between India and Pakistan on the border and recent incidents of violent attacks on security forces in the region.
The NIA’s actions can be seen as an attempt to disrupt the conspiracy of these terror outfits and bring those responsible to justice. The discoveries by NIA in the raids show that the terror groups are evolving and adapting their tactics to carry out attacks more effectively.
The investigations by NIA are a reminder of the ongoing threat that Pakistan-backed terrorist groups pose to India’s security and the need for constant vigilance and a strong counter-terrorism strategy. The NIA has urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities in their vicinity to the authorities.
