NIA conducts searches in Kashmir, raids ex-Jamaat chief's residence

SRINAGAR: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday carried out raids at multiple locations across parts of Kashmir in connection with an ongoing investigation, official sources said.

According to sources, searches are being conducted in several areas of Srinagar and Shopian districts as part of the agency's continued crackdown linked to alleged terror activities and anti-national networks.

One of the raids was conducted at Jamia Siraj Ul Uloom in Imamsahib. The Centre had earlier banned this institution over alleged terror links and anti-national activities, sources said.

They added that another NIA team also searched the residence of former Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shahzada Aurangzeb in the Molu Chitragam area in Shopian district.

The raids were carried out jointly by teams of the NIA, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

Sources said the searches were linked to an ongoing investigation, although officials have not yet disclosed specific details regarding the nature of the case or whether any detentions were made during the operation.

In February 2024, the Central government had declared 'Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu Kashmir' an "unlawful association" for another five years under Section 3(1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.