Militancy Case: SIA conducts searches in Kashmir

Srinagar, Nov 24: The State Investigation Agency (SIA), Kashmir on Thursday conducted searches at the house and premises of many suspects in Bandipora, Shopian, Srinagar, Kisthwar, Baramulla, Anantnag and Kupwara districts with regard to case related to militancy.
As per a statement, the searches were conducted in a case under FIR number 16/2022 under sections 13, 17, 18, 19, 39, & 40 UA (P) Act read with 120-B, 121-IPC registered in Police Station CIK (SIA) Kashmir.
“The case pertains to handlers of terrorist / secessionist organisation(s) sitting operating from across the border hatching a criminal conspiracy with members of proscribed terrorist organization(s) operating in UT of J&K, having created new modules of OGW(s) for aiding / abetting / assisting / harbouring and providing variety of logistic support to terrorist / secessionist organization(s), with intention to further terrorist and unlawful activities in UT of J&K,” the statement said.
It said that these modules of OGW(s) under a well-knit criminal conspiracy have been created and formed not only for providing variety of support to militant organisation(s) but also to fight a proxy war in UT of J&K with a larger objective of secession of UT of J&K from Union of India by waging war against Government of India and UT.
The modules are in continuous touch with handlers / members of militant organization(s) across the border, amongst other modes of communication, it is learnt that encrypted internet messaging platforms, besides other software applications are being used, the statement said.
During the searches, incriminating material, mobile phones , electronic gadgets and other articles having bearing on the investigation have been recovered and seized. Analysis of the data would follow and leads that would emerge would become the basis for further investigation, it added.
It is pertinent to mention here that the investigation is aimed at dismantling the militancy ecosystem in the UT by not only identifying over ground workers (OGW’s) supporting and abetting militancy but by ensuring legal action as envisaged by the law of the land.