Diplomat Correspondent
Srinagar,(DD): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has carried out extensive searches across three districts in Jammu and Kashmir, as part of an investigation into the 2024 killing of non-locals by militants linked to the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group.
A spokesman said that the NIA’s operation targeted key locations in Srinagar, Budgam, and Sopore, seizing vital evidence from the residences of suspected sympathizers, operatives, and overground workers (OGWs) associated with LeT and its affiliate, The Resistance Front (TRF).
The case centers around the killing of two civilians from Chamyari, Amritsar, on 7th February 2024. The victims, Amritpal Singh and Rohit Masi, were shot at by terrorists in the Shaheed Ganj area of Srinagar. Amritpal Singh died instantly, while Rohit Masi succumbed to his injuries the following day at a Srinagar hospital. The attack was carried out by militants believed to be connected with LeT, a proscribed terror group that has historically targeted non-locals in the region.
The NIA, which registered the case under RC-01/2024/NIA/JMU on 15th June 2024, had previously charged four individuals involved in the conspiracy. The agency’s search operation on Tuesday was designed to gather further evidence and disrupt the terror network that allegedly orchestrated the killings. Authorities seized incriminating materials from the locations of individuals who are believed to have provided shelter, logistical support, and other assistance to the militants involved in the killings.
As the investigation progresses, the NIA has uncovered that masterminds from LeT and TRF were in contact with local youth to carry out attacks on non-locals. These attacks were part of a broader strategy to instigate unrest and wage war against the Government of India. The criminal conspiracy, which spanned both physical planning and digital communication, was reportedly facilitated through encrypted social media channels.
NIA teams are currently analyzing the seized materials as they continue to investigate the links between local operatives and the terrorist groups. The agency’s investigation highlights the complex network of militants and their supporters operating in Jammu and Kashmir, and the ongoing challenge of curbing terror activities in the region.
The recent raids underscore the NIA’s determination to dismantle terror cells and prevent further violence targeting non-locals, whose presence has been a point of tension in the region. The agency’s efforts are seen as a critical part of India’s broader security strategy to tackle militancy in Jammu and Kashmir.(DD)
