NIA raids multiple locations in Valley, arrests 4 over ground workers of terror outfits

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 20

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday said, its sleuths have conducted searches at 11 locations in Srinagar, Baramulla, Sopore, Pulwama and Kulgam districts of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) in connection with a terror conspiracy case and arrested four accused persons.

Officials in the agency said, those arrested include Suhail Ahmad Thokar, a resident of Kulgam, Kamran Ashraf Reshi, Rayid Bashir and Hanan Gulzar Dar, all residents of Srinagar in connection with the case.

The officials said, the case pertained to conspiracy for undertaking violent terrorist acts in J&K and other major cities, by cadres of proscribed terrorist organisations Laskhar-e-Toiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM), Al Badr and similar other outfits and their affiliates including the Resistance Front (TRF) and People Against Fascist Forces (PAFF).

“The NIA had registered the case October 10, 2021 and initiated the investigation. Till now, 9 accused persons have been arrested in this case by the NIA,” said a senior official, adding that searches conducted today have led to recovery and seizure of electronic devices, incriminating jehadi documents and posters.

“Preliminary investigation has revealed that the four accused persons arrested today are terror associates and Over Ground Workers (OGWs) of various proscribed terrorist organisations and have been providing logistical and material support to terrorists,” he noted.