The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has conducted multiple raids in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday as part of its crackdown against individuals allegedly involved in terror funding and the radicalization of youngsters, according to officials.
The raids are currently ongoing at various locations such as Gujjar Nagar and Shaheedi Chowk in Jammu city. Officials stated that NIA sleuths have raided a private school and premises associated with three of its functionaries including the residence of the chairman.
In Kulgam district, the residences of two former leaders of the banned outfit Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir were searched.
The raids targeted the residencies of former Jamaat Chief Sheikh Ghulam Hassan and another leader, Sayar Ahmad Reshi, as per the officials.
Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir (JIJK) is a socio-political organization based in the Indian-administered region of Jammu and Kashmir. It was founded in 1947 and operates independently within the context of the region’s political dynamics, although it is affiliated with the larger Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan. JIJK advocates for the implementation of Islamic principles in both personal and political spheres, addressing socio-economic issues and promoting what it perceives as justice and righteousness.
In February 2019, the Central Government banned Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for alleged involvement in activities that pose a threat to national security and public order. The ban was part of a broader crackdown on separatist groups and individuals in the region following a deadly attack on Indian security forces in Pulwama. The ban resulted in the arrest of several JIJK leaders and the freezing of the organization’s assets.
