SIA Conducts Raids At Multiple Locations In J&K In Terror-Funding Case

SIA conducted raids at multiple locations in Jammu and Kashmir in connection with a terror-funding case. Searches were conducted at multiple locations in south Kashmir's Anantnag and Kulgam districts.

State Investigation Agency (SIA) conducting raids in Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian and Srinagar districts. ( Image Source :Twitter/ANI )

The State Investigation Agency (SIA) conducted raids at multiple locations in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday in connection with a terror-funding case. The officials said that the searches were conducted at multiple locations in south Kashmir's Anantnag and Kulgam districts. Those raided included relatives of Sarjan Barkati, who shot to fame during street protests in 2016, the officials said, as reported by the news agency PTI.

According to news agency ANI, searches were carried out at eight different places to investigate the recipients of slush funds flowing through known secessionist Maulavi Sarjan Barkati of south Kashmir.

Jammu and Kashmir | State Investigation Agency (SIA) conducting raids in Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian and Srinagar districts. More details awaited.

Visuals of the SIA raid in Anantnag pic.twitter.com/INJiv0V2BM

— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2023

They said the searches were carried out by the SIA sleuths, who were assisted by police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel. The searches were part of an ongoing probe into a terror-funding case, the officials said. More than Rs 1.5 crore in funds were generated by crowdfunding and from suspected terror sources utilised for personal benefits, profiteering and furtherance of the secessionist-terrorist campaigns, news agency ANI reported citing government sources.

Informing about Maulavi Sarjan Barkati of South Kashmir, the government sources close to ANI said, "Sarjan Barkati is known for mobilising thousands onto streets during the 2016 violent agitation, through his incendiary oratory".

"Known as the pied piper, Sarjan Barkati used to openly invite and incite youth to take to violence and pull down the Indian state in J&K", added sources.  Previously, an encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces at the Mitrigam area of Pulwama, informed Jammu & Kashmir Police on Saturday.

According to officials, Pulwama Police and security forces are on the job. Taking to Twitter, Kashmir Zone Police said, "#Encounter has started at Mitrigam area of #Pulwama. Police and security forces are on the job. Further details shall follow. @JmuKmrPolice." Further details are awaited.