J&K Terrorism Conspiracy Case: NIA Arrests 4 Terror Associates Involved In Kashmir Civilian Killings

The NIA said that the preliminary probe reveals that the arrested people are terror associates of various proscribed terrorist organisations and are responsible for civilian killings in Kashmir.

Kashmiri Hindus protest against civilian killings in Srinagar (File Photo/PTI)

Kashmir: NIA has issued a huge crackdown on terror activities and has arrested four terror associates during searches at 16 locations in Jammu and Kashmir following the registration of a case to unearth a conspiracy hatched by various terror groups to carry out attacks in the Union Territory and other major cities, including New Delhi.

NIA has identified the four accused people-Waseem Ahmad Sofi, Tariq Ahmad Dar, Bilal Ahmad Mir alias Bilal Fafu and Tariq Ahmad Bafanda and all are residents of Srinagar. The 4 accused have arrested during the searches carried out in Srinagar, Pulwama and Shopian districts on Tuesday, according to a statement released by NIA.

The NIA said that the preliminary investigation has revealed that the arrested accused people are terror associates or Over Ground Workers (OGWs) of various proscribed terrorist organisations and have been providing logistical and material support to terrorists and facilitating them in their nefarious designs.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had registered the case on October 10 and initiated an investigation.
According to NIA's statement, several electronic devices, incriminating Jehadi (holy war) documents, and records of suspicious financial transactions were seized during the searches conducted yesterday (Tuesday).

The NIA said the case pertains to information received regarding hatching of conspiracy both physically and in cyberspace for undertaking violent terrorist acts in Jammu and Kashmir and other major cities, including New Delhi, by cadres of proscribed terrorist organizations Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM), Al Badr and similar other outfits and their affiliates such as The Resistance Front (TRF) and People Against Fascist Forces (PAFF).

NIA also revealed that the terror associates/over ground workers of these organisations have been conspiring with their handlers and commanders based in a neighbouring country and also indulging in radicalisation of local youth for the purpose of recruiting and training them in the handling of arms, ammunition, and explosives.

The probe agency said these terrorists and cadres are responsible for several terrorist acts, including the killing of numerous innocent civilians and security personnel, and unleashing a reign of terror in the Kashmir valley, thereby challenging the writ of the state.

According to ABP News sources, security agencies are now tracking six LeT terrorists and a Pakistani commander in connection with the killing of civilians in Srinagar last week. Sources also revealed that some suspects have been caught on a CCTV camera fleeing the site of the attack in Srinagar.

"The CCTV cameras installed by the police in Srinagar city have captured some of the suspects running from the spot, but the picture is not clear," a police official said.

The NIA said further investigation into the case is underway.