Srinagar, Oct 13 (Agency) Four suspected over ground workers and militant associates were arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) during the probe of Jammu and Kashmir Terrorism Conspiracy Case. A NIA spokesman identified the four as Waseem Ahmed Sofi of Chattabal, Tariq Ahmed Dar of Shergarhi, Bilal Ahmed Mir of Parimpora and Tariq Ahmed Bafanda of Rajauri Kadal — all from Srinagar. “Preliminary investigation has revealed that the arrested accused persons are terror associates/OGWs of various proscribed terrorist organisations and have been providing logistical and material support to terrorists and facilitating them in their nefarious design,” the spokesman said.
He said the case pertains to information received regarding hatching of conspiracy both physically and in cyberspace for undertaking violent terrorist acts in J&K and other major cities including New Delhi, by cadres of proscribed terrorist organisations Laskhar-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), People Against Fascist Forces (PAFF). “The terror associates/OGWs of these organisations are conspiring with their handlers and commanders based in a neighbouring country and also indulging in radicalization of local youth for the purpose of recruiting and training them in handling of arms, ammunition and explosives.
“These terrorists and cadres have effected several terrorist acts, including killings of numerous innocent civilians and security personnel, unleashing a reign of terror in the Kashmir Valley, thereby challenging the writ of the state. Accordingly, NIA had registered the case as RC 29/2021/NIA/DLI) dated 10.10.2021 and initiated the investigation,” he said. As part of investigation of the case,the NIA carried searches at multiple locations in Jammu and Kashmir and arrested the four persons. “NIA conducted searches at 16 locations in Srinagar, Pulwama and Shopian districts of J&K. During the searches conducted yesterday several electronic devices, incriminating documents relating to jehad, records of suspicious financial transactions were seized,” he added.