NIA raids 15 locations in J&K, arrests terror operative

Searches were held in connection with recovery of 5kg IED on June 27

JAMMU: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday conducted simultaneous raids at 15 locations across four districts of Jammu and Kashmir in connection with the recovery of 5kg IED on June 27 and arrested a person allegedly involved in the conspiracy of carrying out terror activities in collusion with arrested Lashkar-e-mustafa top commander Hidayatullah Malik.

“NIA, along with J&K police and CRPF, conducted searches at nine locations in Shopian, Anantnag and Jammu districts and arrested a terrorist in Lashker-e-mustafa conspiracy case,” said an official spokesman.

The case was initially registered at Gangyal police station in Jammu district in connection with the conspiracy by Lashkere-mustafa (LEM), working at the behest of Jaish-e-mohammed, to carry out terrorist activities in J&K with an intention to threaten sovereignty, integrity and security of India, he added. NIA had re-registered the case on March 2 this year and taken over the investigation.

During the searches, many digital devices, including mobile phones, hard disks, memory cards, pen drives, laptops and booklets containing incriminating materials, were recovered from the premises of the arrested accused and suspects in the case.

“One accused person namely Irfan Ahmed Dar, son of Mohammad Yakoob Dar of Batingoo, in Anantnag was also arrested on Saturday in the case. Preliminary investigation revealed that he was involved in the conspiracy of carrying out terrorist activities in collusion with other arrested persons,” said the spokesperson.

Bhatindi case

In another case of recovery of 5 kg IED from Bhatindi area of Jammu, NIA conducted searches at multiple locations across the UT.

“NIA with assistance of J&K Police and CRPF conducted searches at six locations of arrested accused and suspected persons in Shopian and Ramban districts,” said the spokesperson.

The case was initially registered at Bahu Fort police station in Jammu relating to recovery of 5kg IED from a terrorist in Bathindi, Jammu, on June 27.

It was a conspiracy by Lashkar-e-taiba to cause explosion in Jammu using the IED.

NIA had re-registered the case on July 19 and taken over the investigation.

“During the searches on Saturday, many digital devices including mobile phones, pen drives, shells of used bullets, CDS, plastic face masks that are used during stone pelting, memory cards, hand written Jehadi material, ID card of Al-aqsa media and other incriminating materials have been recovered,” he said.