The Counter Intelligence Kashmir wing of the Jammu and Kashmir Police on Wednesday carried out raids at multiple places across the Valley in connection with terror-related cases.
Officials said that the Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) started searches at eight locations across six districts of the union territory in connection with an ongoing investigation into Pakistan-sponsored terrorist networks, sleeper cells and activities related to recruitment, radicalisation and facilitation of terrorism.
The official said these searches are being conducted in connection with FIR No. 02/2015 registered at Police Station CIK Srinagar under Section 14 of the Foreigners Act, Sections 15, 16, 17 and 19 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and Section 7/25 of the Arms Act.
“Based on recent intelligence inputs, technical analysis and sustained investigation, eight search locations were identified, including two in Srinagar, two in Bandipora, one each in Anantnag, Kulgam, Kupwara and Sopore area of Baramulla district,” the officials said.
The investigation by the Counter Intelligence suggests that the suspects were in contact with Pakistan-based terrorist handlers through encrypted communication platforms and were allegedly involved in spreading extremist propaganda, radicalisation activities and facilitating terror-related operations.
The searches are aimed at recovering incriminating material, establishing terrorist linkages, identifying associates, facilitators and overground workers (OGWs), and generating actionable intelligence to further strengthen the investigation and initiate appropriate legal action, sources added.
Officials said that all necessary legal formalities have been completed and search warrants were obtained from the competent court. The operations are being carried out in accordance with established legal procedures with adequate security arrangements and technical support.
The counterintelligence wing of the J&K Police functions under the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and deals exclusively with cases related to terrorism, sabotage, subversion and terror networking in the union territory.
The counterintelligence wing has its own police station where FIRs in terror-related cases are registered and subsequently investigated.