The J&K Police on Wednesday raided 16 residences of separatists, including jailed Tehreek-e-Hurriyat chairman Masarat Alam, former Hurriyat chairman Abdul Ghani Bhat and Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) head Shabir Ahmad Shah, in Kashmir.
The raids were carried out across Anantnag, Srinagar, Baramulla and Bandipora districts of the Kashmir valley. This week, the J&K Police stepped up raids and searches of premises of separatist leaders and their supporters in Kashmir.
“The investigation aims to dismantle the remnants of the secessionist and terrorist ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir by identifying and taking legal action against individuals engaged in such activities,” the police said.
Officials said multiple locations were searched as part of ongoing investigations into cases registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The cases pertain to banned organisations, including Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference of Mr. Bhat, Jammu and Kashmir Muslim League of Alam and Democratic Freedom Party of Shah.
Officials said Prof. Bhat’s residences in Sopore and Srinagar were raided simultaneously. Besides, residence of jailed Shah and jailed Alam were also searched.
Officials said the searches were conducted after obtaining search warrants from the Special Judge designated under the NIA Act in Srinagar. In accordance with legal procedures, all searches were carried out in the presence of an Executive Magistrate and independent witnesses, they added.
The investigation aims to dismantle the remnants of the secessionist and terrorist ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir by identifying and taking legal action against individuals engaged in such activities, he said.
In south Kashmir’s Anantnag senior separatist leaders Mohd Rafiq Dar, Ghulam Nabi Sumji, Mukthar Ahmad Sofi and Mukthar Ahmad Waza, were also raided. These separatist leaders are affiliated to the Muslim Conference and Jammu Kashmir People’s League.
“These proactive operations aim to neutralize networks that threaten peace and stability in the district,” a police spokesman in Anantnag said.
Speaking in Jammu, J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha underlined that no space will be given to separatists in Kashmir. “J&K needs to be known by entrepreneurs and not for disruptionists. If some people still have an idea that old days of hartals and disturbances will return, it should better be clear that that is history and those days won’t come back. J&K is an integral part of India and its future lies with India,” Mr. Sinha said.
Published – March 26, 2025 10:32 pm IST