Jammu & Kashmir: NIA Raids 3 Sites in Major Terror Funding Investigation

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) carried out a series of coordinated raids on Monday in Jammu and Kashmir as part of an ongoing investigation into an alleged terror funding network. The operations were conducted at three key locations—two in the Shopian district and one in Srinagar—targeting individuals and institutions suspected of involvement in activities linked to unlawful organizations and financial support for militancy. According to officials, one of the primary sites searched was Darul Uloom Sirajul Uloom in Shopian’s Imam Sahib area. The institution, which provides both religious and formal education to hundreds of students, had reportedly been declared an illegal entity last month. During the early morning operation, NIA teams examined records, documents, and other materials as part of their inquiry into suspected radicalization and funding activities. Simultaneous searches were also carried out at residential premises in Srinagar and other parts of South Kashmir. Among the key locations was the residence of Shahzada Aurangzeb, a former head of the banned organization Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir. Authorities believe these searches are part of a wider effort to dismantle networks allegedly involved in terror financing, recruitment of overground workers (OGWs), and ideological support to banned groups. Officials stated that the investigation focuses on identifying financial channels and local support structures that may be used to sustain extremist activities in the region. Preliminary reports suggest that several documents and digital materials were seized during the raids and are currently being analyzed by investigators. Security agencies also emphasized that the operations were conducted with full cooperation from the Jammu and Kashmir Police and paramilitary forces, ensuring tight security across all targeted locations. The crackdown comes amid the continued ban on Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir, which the central government extended in February 2024 for another five years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The organization was first declared unlawful in 2019 and has since remained under scrutiny for alleged links to separatist activities and extremist networks. Authorities have repeatedly accused the group of maintaining connections with militant organizations and promoting anti-India narratives in the region. The government maintains that such organizations contribute to radicalization efforts and pose a threat to national security and territorial integrity. The latest NIA action is being seen as part of a broader strategy to curb terror funding networks and prevent the resurgence of militant support systems in Jammu and Kashmir. Investigations are ongoing, and further developments are expected as forensic analysis of seized materials continues.