NIA Conducts Raids in Kashmir in Terror-Funding Case Linked to Banned Jamaat-e-Islami
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) carried out coordinated raids at multiple locations in Kashmir on Monday as part of an ongoing probe into a terror-funding case involving the banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI). The federal anti-terror agency has been investigating the separatist and secessionist activities of JeI, which was declared an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
According to officials, the raids were conducted at premises linked to suspected members and sympathizers of the outfit in several districts of the Kashmir Valley. The NIA teams, assisted by local police, searched the targeted locations and seized electronic devices, documents, and other incriminating materials. The searches were part of a larger effort to dismantle the funding network that sustains JeI’s activities.
The agency has registered a case under various sections of the UAPA and the Indian Penal Code, focusing on the collection and distribution of funds for unlawful purposes. JeI has been accused of using its network to channel funds for promoting separatism and fueling unrest in the region. The NIA’s investigation aims to identify the sources of funding and the individuals involved in the conspiracy.
This is not the first time the NIA has targeted JeI. In previous operations, the agency had arrested several key members and seized assets believed to be proceeds of illegal fundraising. The latest raids underscore the government's continued crackdown on organizations that challenge the sovereignty and integrity of India.
Local residents reported a heavy presence of security forces during the raids, which were conducted early in the morning. The NIA has not yet released an official statement on the outcomes of the searches, but sources indicate that further action is expected based on the evidence collected.
The development comes amid heightened scrutiny of separatist groups in Jammu and Kashmir following the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. The central government has consistently maintained a zero-tolerance policy toward terrorism and secessionist activities, and the NIA’s actions are seen as part of that broader strategy.
