Achi news desk-
‘Plays central role in achieving zero terrorism in J&K’
Srinagar, October 31: The State Investigation Agency (SIA) Jammu & Kashmir has completed its two years of existence since its constitution on 1 November 2021.
The agency was primarily tasked with investigating and prosecuting cases related to terrorism in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and designated as the nodal agency for coordination with central agencies like NIA, NCB, ED, CBI, IT, and etc.
SIA considers itself a committed ally and an integral part of the country’s anti-terrorist law enforcement organization and has successfully led its significant assistance in various important cases (Mirwaiz Killing etc.) to India’s national investigative agencies like NIA, CBI , ED etc. has reinforced the efforts of all agencies in India’s fight against terrorism.
During these two years, SIA J&K has established itself as the premier agency of the UT for investigating and prosecuting cases related to terrorism and has achieved its many defined objectives within its mandate. During this period, the agency registered 45 cases and took over 12 additional cases from other J&K police stations for further investigation. The Agency has successfully prosecuted 31 cases bringing perpetrators to justice, and arrested 99 accused people.
The agency has successfully investigated a wide range of cases involving espionage, terrorist financing, narco-terrorism, terrorist acts, and minority killings. Notably, the agency revealed the modus operandi and criminal conspiracy of more opponents involved in the financing of terrorism through the proceeds of narcotics, the use of crypto currency, etc.
While investigating the Sanjay Sharma murder case, SIA uncovered the larger criminal conspiracy behind the minority murders by arresting nine accused persons involved in facilitating, harboring and training the trigger puller, who were also cleared later in meeting with security forces. SIA has played a central role in investigating 9 different cases involving SIM cards that were found to be misused for the perpetuation of illegal acts, exposing weaknesses in the SIM issuing process. This led to the implementation of a more secure mechanism for SIM issuance thereby enhancing national security.
In another very important terror financing case (Babu Singh), 9 accused persons were arrested and a hawala network involved in terror financing was busted where terrorist sympathizers in J&K were operating through Dubai using crypto wallets. The agency managed to bust a narco-terrorist module by digging deep into a larger criminal conspiracy hatched by the lynchpin (the OGW wife of a banned terrorist organization). The investigation revealed a cross LOC narcotics and drug smuggling module operating under a concerted criminal conspiracy with the active support and connivance of Pakistani agencies hostile to India.
SIA J&K also succeeded in defeating the evil designs of enemy by arresting a mole in the police who, in connivance with terrorist organizations and agencies of Pakistan, was providing vital information and documents related to security forces and important installations to the enemy thereby helping separatist agencies to wage war against India. The Agency revealed the plans of the enemy nations trying to unite different separatist groups and renew them. Furthermore, a number of workers’ modules over the ground and terrorism were destroyed, disrupting their activities.
Taking strict measures to curb the terrorist ecosystem, during this period, SIA conducted raids at 166 locations across the Union Territory of J&K. Following the legal process of attachment of properties used for anti-national activities, 217 properties linked to Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), an illegal society in India, were identified, of which 57 were notified under the provisions of UAPA, which weakened significantly the logistics of the banned outfit. The house of one accused person namely Amarbir Singh @ Gopi Mahal, a resident of Baba Darshan Singh Enclave Mahal Ram Tirth Road Amritsar was attached.
Pursuing his larger objective of taking the investigation and prosecution of terrorism-related cases to its logical conclusions, the investigation into the three-decade-old murder case of NeelKanth Ganjoo is being vigorously investigated showing his unwavering commitment and a determination to ensure justice in all terrorist incidents, no matter how. old they may be.
In an investigation, the agency uncovered a module related to the laundering of illegal proceeds and its use in illegal activities. The investigation led to the registration of a formal criminal case. During an investigation SIA uncovered money laundering to the tune of more than Rs. 85 crores. The case is the subject of an active investigation and SIA reiterates its commitment to bringing everyone involved to justice as well as solving the wider connection behind this act.
In various cases a large number of mobile properties were seized including 6 cars, 1 truck, 1 Tata Mobile, 2 scooters, 1 motorcycle and electronic gadgets like laptops, mobile phones, SIM cards and arms, bullets used in different terrorist activities.
In a major blow to terror financing, SIA J&K froze INR 1,21,84,382 in 134 bank accounts, believed to be proceeds of crime, and seized INR 5,19,86,810 in cash. Pakistani currency worth 9,820 and 15,000 US Dollars was also seized during this period. The agency’s anti-narcotics efforts resulted in the seizure of narcotics weighing 72 Kgs, 953 gms heroin, 07 kilograms of poppy straw, 04 kg of poppy seeds, 800 grams of brown sugar and 1Kg, 794 gm of contraband substances were seized in 08 cases different registered across the UT of J&K.
In line with its larger objective and mandate of ensuring zero terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, the agency has initiated a special drive to trace all absconders from terrorism related cases including old TADA cases /POTA and produce them before the concerned TADA/POTA Courts for facing the case. proof under the law. The agency has identified 734 absconders from TADA/POTA cases, out of which 369 have been verified, 82 traced at home. Out of these interrogated, the agency arrested 10 absconding terrorists and their associates who were involved in serious crimes of terrorism and disruptive activities related to TADA cases registered about three decades ago in different Police Stations in district Doda and accused in TADA/POTA Court Jammu.
These fugitive terrorists had managed to escape the clutches of the law for decades by going underground and remaining untraceable for some time and then resurfacing to enjoy a normal family life in their native or distant places. Some of these terrorist escapees even managed to obtain services and contracts from the Government while others were found involved in private businesses.
SIA is also mandated to explore the possibilities of carrying out further investigation or re-investigation in cases of mass murders, minority killings and cases of murders of security forces personnel and judicial officers where investigation is either not done properly or further investigation is needed to provide justice to victims.
While taking action against high profile terrorist sympathizers operating internationally, 7 passports were suspended and 2 passports impounded and 17 look out circulars (LoC) were issued. For the first time in Jammu and Kashmir, 3 black notices were issued for identifying dead bodies of Pakistani terrorists.
SIA has released a major campaign on the ‘Pakistan-sponsored online and offline fake propaganda machines’ in J&K, which is the main reason for youth radicalization and recruitment in terrorist ranks. The agency strives to continue its efforts by using the ‘rigor of the law’ to remove all those who continue or attempt to indulge in secessionism or online terrorism, in order to contribute to the peace and order of the Union Territory J&K.
In the last two years, SIA J&K has not only met its mandate but exceeded expectations in its two years of inception, making a high impact on the security landscape in the region. The agency remains committed to its mission of safeguarding the peace and security of the nation and achieving zero terrorism in J&K specifically and in the country as a whole.
The agency is ready to reach new heights by ensuring professional and quality investigation of all cases related to terrorism, busting the operative network of terrorists inside and outside UT J&K to eradicate terrorism completely.
SIA has made significant progress in establishing the participation of ex-ATR of J&K regional politician who had facilitated the transportation of Mohammed Amin Baba @ Abid, the then Regional Commander of Hizb ul Mujahideen (HM) in the former’s official assigned vehicle. -MLA from Kashmir to Wagah / Attari border enabling him to cross over into Pakistan on false identity on travel documents and false identity.
Through investigation and inquiries, the agency has also unraveled a complex modus operandi adopted by those dealing in terrorism in Pakistan to generate terrorist funds domestically from selling MBBS seats and other professional courses for admission to Institutions in Pakistan to students from Kashmir and diversion of funds so raised. to terrorist and secessionist activities in J&K.
Taking into account the findings of the SIA investigation, the National Medical Council (NMC), informed that any Indian National intending to take admission in MBBS or equivalent medical courses in any medical college in Pakistan will not be eligible to appear in FMGE (Foreign Medical Graduates Examination) or looking for work in India. This step served the dual purpose of preventing the infusion of money into the illegal activities and significantly reduced the influence of Pak sympathizers from J&K / Hurriyat leaders who used to refer students for the medical courses to maintain the separatist sentiment live.
It is relevant to note that many of these students who traveled to Pakistan on valid travel documents in the event that their handlers in Pakistan and Kashmir had received terrorist training and were killed in anti-terrorist encounters with security forces while infiltrating back to Indian Territory. . This investigation not only stopped the fundraising of terrorism but also saved many Kashmiri youths from becoming terrorists and losing their lives.
In order to further its commitment and conviction to enforce the rule of law, SIA succeeded in investigating an important case involving a religious preacher ‘Barkati’, the poster face of the 2016 riots which took many innocent lives and caused great damage to the public and the public. private property; collects money as ‘charity’ and has accumulated huge wealth worth crores part of which was used to maintain separatism in the valley. The case became an eye opener for the common masses to be wary of ‘crowd funding’ which can end up in the hands of terrorists or separatists against the country’s security interests.
To ensure quality prosecution in cases related to terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, on the recommendations of the SIA so far, there are 7 Special Public Prosecutors including 1 DDP and 2 CPOs from the Jammu and Kashmir Prosecution Service and four advocates of famous profile have been notified under section 15 of the Act. NIA Act for prosecution of 28 UAPA cases (including 13 legacy cases) investigated and charged by the SIA in different 12 Special Courts for UAPA offenses established by the State Government in UT Jammu and Kashmir under the NIA Act.
In order to prevent terrorists and their associates from enjoying the fruits of the proceeds of this heinous crime, SIA has been instrumental in banning/designating a number of individual terrorists (DITs) and 3 terrorist organizations (DITs) by the Central Government, and thereby enabling the provision of section 51-A of the UAPA to operate and freeze the assets of these designated terrorists.
With the establishment of the SIA, the quality of investigation and prosecution of terrorism related cases has improved to a large extent, as a result the number of accused released on bail in such cases has decreased significantly and those who were released under strict bail conditions.
