Pak Sleeper Cells In J&K: Probe Agency Raids 11 More Locations

The raids and subsequent searches, a spokesman of the SIA said, were part of the effort to take the investigation related to militants’ sleeper cell modules forward. “These raids were conducted in connection with the investigation of case FIR registered in January this year under sections 13, 17, 18, 18-B, 38, 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967 at Police Station SIA (Kashmir),” he said, adding that the competent court had authorised the searches conducted in the presence of executive magistrates.

The SIA had carried out similar raids at twenty locations across the Valley on May 11 and claimed that it had busted a sleeper cell that was working for Pakistan to obtain sensitive information including about the vital installations.

In had said that as the J&K police are keeping a surveillance on the terror associates and OGWs working of the separatist militant organisations and their supporting foreign terrorists across the region, technical intelligence indicated that a host of sleeper cells are in direct contact with their handlers based in Pakistan.

The members of these sleeper cells, it said, were found to be 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. “These terror associates were also involved in online radical propaganda on the behest of terrorist commanders of Lashkar-e- Taiba and Jaish-e- Muhammad, impinging upon the national security and integrity,” a statement issued by the SIA here had said.

On Saturday, the SIA said that the preliminary investigation “has clearly brought out that these terror associates 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 SIA, Kashmir 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 agency said in a statement here.

The statement said, “It is observed that most of the individuals under the SIA’s scrutiny for involvement in online radicalisation fall within the vulnerable and impressionable age group of 18 to 22 years.”

“In this context, the role of teachers, parents, and peers becomes crucial. While constant monitoring may not always be possible, they should remain alert to the online activities of young individuals and offer timely guidance if any concerning behavior is noticed,” it said, adding, “If necessary, the matter should be reported to local police authorities to ensure that such youth receive appropriate intervention and counselling”.

Meanwhile, the security forces on Saturday launched a search operation in the border district of Samba after receiving information from the locals about the movement of three suspected militants near a forest area. The officials said that a joint team of police and paramilitary forces cordoned off Nangal, Chilladanga, Goran and adjoining forests early morning for a thorough search operation, which is underway.