Jammu: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) began conducting raids in various locations across the Jammu division in Jammu and Kashmir. Officials noted that these actions are part of an investigation into new cases opened by the NIA.
The agency, supported by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Jammu and Kashmir Police, targeted over a dozen sites in the districts of Doda, Udhampur, Kishtwar, and Reasi.
Sources indicated that the raids are linked to cases involving over-ground workers (OGWs) associated with terrorist groups, as well as recent infiltration incidents from across the border into the region.
OGWs, although unarmed, play a crucial role in supporting terrorist operations by gathering intelligence on military and police movements, identifying vulnerabilities, providing logistics, arranging safe havens, and transporting weapons.
Intelligence reports have noted increased infiltration attempts into Jammu and Kashmir from both the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB). Recent violent incidents, such as the Gagangir attack in Ganderbal on October 20—which resulted in the deaths of seven individuals, including six non-local construction workers and a local doctor—are believed to be linked to such infiltrations. One of the attackers was identified as a foreign militant who had crossed into the Valley through the Tulail sector of the LoC in Bandipora.
Another attack on October 24 in the Botapathri area of Gulmarg led to the deaths of five people, including three soldiers and two civilian porters. Security forces attributed this incident to a group of infiltrating terrorists who had entered the Valley in August 2024.
The NIA is also investigating connections between drug trafficking and terrorist financing in Jammu and Kashmir.