SIA busts sleeper cells across South Kashmir, raids 20 sites

Jammu and Kashmir Police’s State Investigation Agency (SIA) said on Sunday that it had busted sleeper cell modules and conducted raids at nearly 20 locations across South Kashmir.

A police spokesperson stated that the J&K Police have been maintaining surveillance on terror associates and overground workers (OGWs) operating in the region.

“Technical intelligence indicated that a host of sleeper cells in Kashmir were in direct contact with their handlers based in Pakistan and were involved in conveying sensitive and strategic information about security forces and vital installations via messaging apps including but not limited to WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal and so on,” the police said.

Police added that these associates were also engaged in online radical propaganda at the behest of terrorist commanders from Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad, posing a threat to national security and integrity.

On Sunday, the SIA conducted searches at around 20 locations across all districts of South Kashmir in connection with a case registered under one FIR.

“Substantial incriminating materials have been seized and the suspects have been rounded up for further questioning,” the spokesperson said.

Preliminary investigations, according to police, clearly indicate that “these entities are actively engaged in terrorist conspiracy, propagating and furthering anti-India narratives aimed not only at challenging the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India but also at inciting disaffection, public disorder and communal hatred.”

“The State Investigation Agency is steadfast in the commitment of safeguarding national security and upholding public order. It will continue to take firm action against individuals or groups involved in any kind of secessionist and terrorist activities,” the police added.

J & K