SIA arrests Hizb operative in Shopian

Jammu and Kashmir Police’s State Investigation Agency (SIA) on Saturday arrested an over-ground worker (OGW) who worked as a “sleeper cell” for the terrorist organisation Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM).

“Following relentless efforts, SIA Kashmir has achieved a major success by apprehending an OGW, Altaf Hussain Wagay, resident of Reban Gund area of Behram in Shopian. The OGW worked as a sleeper cell for the terrorist organisation Hizb-ul-Mujahideen,” a SIA spokesperson said, adding the arrest was made as a part of the ongoing investigation into a case.

“During the investigation, SIA Kashmir has adduced evidence which establishes the connection of the arrested accused with a terrorist handler belonging to HM who is operating from across the border.

“On the behest of the terrorist handler, the OGW was orchestrating terrorist, unlawful and anti-national activities by actively engaging in terrorist conspiracy, propagating and furthering anti-India narratives,” the spokesperson said.

“Their activities were aimed not only at challenging the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India but also at inciting disaffection, public disorder, and communal hatred,” he added.

The arrest of Altaf Hussain is a major success towards unearthing the sleeper cells who are highly radicalised, sharing secessionist, unlawful, separatists’ contents and are also having connections with Pakistan terror handlers/ terrorist organisation/ Pakistan intelligence agencies, the spokesperson said.