SIA sleuths raid 20 places, bust sleeper cell modules

SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir Police’s State Investigation Agency on Sunday busted sleeper cell modules during raids that were carried out at 20 locations across South Kashmir.

Police said technical intelligence indicated that a host of sleeper cells in Kashmir were in direct contact with their Pakistan-based handlers and involved in conveying sensitive and strategic information about security forces and vital installations via messaging apps including WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal.

These militant associates were also involved in online radical propaganda at the behest of commanders of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Muhammad, impinging upon national security and integrity, police said.

Following this, the SIA Kashmir conducted searches at around 20 locations across all districts of South Kashmir in connection with the investigation of a case registered earlier this year.

“During the raids, substantial incriminating materials have been seized, and the suspects have been rounded up for further questioning,” police said.

Preliminary investigation has clearly brought out that these entities are “actively engaged in a 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”, it added.

Police said, “The SIA will continue to take firm action against individuals or groups involved in any kind of secessionist and terrorist activities.”