Srinagar: The State Investigation Agency (SIA) of Jammu and Kashmir Police on Saturday launched extensive raids across Central and North Kashmir as part of an ongoing operation to counter terror-linked activities.
Searches were carried out in Sopore, Baramulla, Handwara, Ganderbal, and Srinagar, officials said. The raids are aimed at breaking up networks suspected of supporting terrorism in the region.
The action comes a day after police arrested three alleged associates of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) outfit in the Kawoosa Narbal area of Magam, Budgam district. The arrested men have been identified as Muzamil Ahmad and Ishfaq Pandit from Aglar Pattan, and Muneer Ahmad from Meeripora Beerwah. A pistol and a hand grenade were seized during the operation.
Preliminary investigations suggest the trio had links with Aabid Qayoom Lone, a LeT operative who crossed over to Pakistan in 2020. Lone is believed to be actively involved in recruiting youth from the Narbal–Magam area and coordinating attacks from across the border.
Police said the arrested men were working under Lone’s instructions and were planning terror strikes while attempting to radicalize more young people.
