NIA raids in Al-Qaeda case

Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Nov 25 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) today conducted searches at multiple locations in Kashmir in the Al-Qaeda case of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
The raids were conducted in Shopian and Budgam districts at multiple locations by the sleuths of the NIA who were assisted by police and CRPF.
The raids were conducted in the premises of Mohammad Shafi Shah son of Abdul Ahad Shah of Wachi, a private school teacher who has affiliation with Jamaat-e-Islami, Shahid Ahmad Shah Mohammad Sabir of Wachi, Riyaz Ahmad Mir son of Ghulam Nabi of Wachi, a Government employee in Sheep Husbandry Department, Mohammad Shaban Kumar  of Wachi president of local Aquaf Wachi, Mohammad Lateef Shah son of Abdul Majeed Shah of Wachi, Sameer Ahmad Sheikh, student BA 1st year Amar Singh College of Bagh-e-Mehtab, Tawheed Sheikh, shopkeeper Muchawa and Abdul Majid Magray, bakery shop owner at Muchawa, Firdous Ahmad Dar, General Store Muchawa and Bashir Ahmad Sheikh, employee Animal Husbandry of Wachi in Shopian and presently living in Muchawa.
The raids lasted for several hours during which incriminating documents were recovered by the NIA.
The NIA spokesman said that they conducted searches at five locations in Shopian and Budgam districts of Kashmir in connection with investigation of NIA case under number RC-02/2021/NIA-LKW (Al- Qaeda Case Lucknow, UP).
“The case pertains to Umar Halmandi, an Al-Qaeda operative, who along with other accused persons, had been radicalizing and recruiting vulnerable persons for AQIS (Al-Qaeda in Indian Subcontinent) and trying to raise Ansaar Gajwatul Hind (AGH) to carry out militant acts for which they had already arranged arms and explosive substances.” the spokesman said.
The statement said that the case was initially registered as FIR number 10/2021 dated 11-07-2021, PS-ATS, Uttar Pradesh and NIA had re-registered the same as RC-02/2021/NIA/LKW, on 29.07.2021.
“During the searches conducted today, large number of incriminating documents and digital devices were seized. Further investigation in the case is continuing,” it added.