Raids carried out at homes of militant associates in Srinagar, says police

Srinagar: Srinagar Police on Wednesday conducted extensive raids at multiple locations across the city. The searches were carried out at the residences of militant associates and overground workers (OGWs) affiliated with proscribed militant organisations, in connection with ongoing investigations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), a police spokesman said in a statement.

The coordinated search operations were conducted across various areas of Srinagar, targeting individuals involved in facilitating, aiding, or abetting terror-related activities.

Searches were carried out at the residences of Asrar Ahmad Bala, son of Rafi Bala, resident of Omer Colony, Lal Bazar; Shahbaz Ahmad Bhat, son of Farooq Ahmad Bhat, resident of Palpora, Noorbagh; Fayaz Ahmad Ganie, son of Guam Mohammad Ganie, resident of Suthsu Kalan; Burhan Nazir, son of Nazir Ahmad Kushoo, resident of Beeroni, Kathidarwaza; and Sajid Majeed Shah, son of Abdul Majeed Shah, resident of Nowpora, Sekidafar.

Searches were also conducted at the houses of Ashiq Bashir Najar, son of Bashir Ahmad Najar, resident of Soiteng; Umer Adil Dar, son of Ghulam Hassan Dar, resident of Soiteng; Shabir Ahmad Ganie, son of Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Ganie, resident of New Theed; Ajaz Ahmad Bhat, son of Aziz Ahmad Bhat, resident of New Theed; Mohammad Altaf Ganie, son of Fayaz Ahmad, resident of New Theed; Fayaz Ahmad Ganie, son of Mohammad Sultan, resident of New Theed; Manzoor Ahmad Bhat, son of Abdul Ahad Bhat, resident of New Theed; and Ahsan Ahmad Bhat alias Munna, son of late Mohammad Yousuf, resident of Mughal Mohalla, Raniwari, presently residing at Indra Nagar, Srinagar.

The searches were conducted in accordance with due legal procedure, in the presence of Executive Magistrates and independent witnesses, and under the supervision of senior officers of J&K Police, the statement reads.

“The objective of these operations was to seize incriminating material such as documents, digital devices, and other evidence relevant to ongoing investigations. The raids also form part of a broader intelligence-gathering exercise aimed at pre-empting and disrupting any conspiratorial or terrorist activities threatening public peace and national security,” the spokesman said. (KNO)