On terror trail, J&K cops raid Jamaat associates in several Valley districts

The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Thursday launched a Valley-wide crackdown on banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), conducting raids in several districts, including Srinagar, Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam, Budgam and Kupwara.

The police said the action was taken based on “credible inputs regarding activities deemed prejudicial to the security and stability of the region”.

Officials said the raids targeted residential premises and other locations linked to JeI members and their associates as part of the ongoing efforts to dismantle the "terror ecosystem" and its support structures.

This is the second major crackdown in November against the outfit. Earlier, over 500 locations linked to individuals associated with the JeI were raided across the Valley.

In Srinagar, raids were conducted at nine places, while madrassas and mosques were also inspected. Officials said the searches were conducted at the residences of those associated with JeI-affiliated institutions, including Mohammad Ramzan Lone, a resident of Soura (Ramzana Memorial Educational Institute, Soura); Shahid Zahgeer, a resident of Buchpora Soura (Ramzana Memorial School, Soura), and Peer Giyas Ud Din from Nowgam (Falah Research Ramzan Centre, Nowgam).

Some institutions associated with the JeI ideology were also raided. These include Jamiat-ul-Banaat in Lal Bazar, Rahat Manzil (JK Yateem Khana) in Bagh-i-Nand Singh, Chattabal, Chinar Publication Trust in Maisuma, and Al-Kousar Book Shop in Maisuma.

“The crackdown targeted individuals and networks associated with terrorist organisations. The aim is to dismantle the terror support ecosystem in the region and strengthen deradicalisation efforts,” the police said.

In Kulgam, the police seized a significant quantity of electronic gadgets, literature and documents suspected to be linked to the ongoing anti-terror investigations.

In north Kashmir's Kupwara district, searches were also carried out at the Jamia Islamia Institute in Waripora, Handwara, based on information indicating suspected unlawful activities and possible links with the JeI, officials said. Multiple searches were carried out in Chadoora, Soibugh and Beerwah areas.