NIA conducts searches, arrests 5 in J&K terrorism conspiracy case

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted searches and arrested five alleged terror associates in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday.

They have been arrested in a case that pertains to hatching of a conspiracy to undertake violent terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir and other major cities in India. The attacks were allegedly planned by cadres of banned terror organisations such as Laskhar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, Al Badr and their affiliates.

The accused have been identified as Md Haneef Chiralu, Hafeez, Owais Dar, Mateen Bhat and Arif Farooq Bhat. As per preliminary investigation, the five arrested accused individuals are terror associates or 'over ground workers' of banned terror organisations. They were purportedly instrumental in providing logistical support to terrorists and facilitating their activities.

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"The terror associates/over ground workers of these organisations are conspiring with their handlers and commanders based in a neighbouring country and also indulging in radicalisation of local youth for the purpose of recruiting and training them in handling of arms, ammunition and explosives," an NIA spokesperson said.

The NIA conducted searches at two locations in Srinagar on Wednesday and seized electronic devices and incriminating documents.

Earlier, the NIA had arrested four accused in the case on Tuesday. The agency had also conducted searches in various other districts of the union territory the same day.

The case was registered and investigation initiated on Sunday. Further investigation in the case is underway.

(With inputs from PTI)

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