The State Investigation Agency (SIA) of Jammu and Kashmir Police has launched a series of raids at multiple locations across Central and North Kashmir as part of an intensified crackdown on suspected terror-related activities. The operation, which commenced on Saturday early morning, has targeted areas including Sopore, Baramulla, Handwara, Ganderbal, and Srinagar.

Official sources confirm that these searches are linked to ongoing efforts to dismantle terror networks operating in the Kashmir. The proactive measures come on the heels of a significant development the previous day, where police apprehended three associates of the banned terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in the Kawoosa Narbal area of Magam, central Kashmir.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Muzamil Ahmad and Ishfaq Pandit, both residents of Aglar Pattan, and Muneer Ahmad from Meeripora Beerwah. During the operation, police recovered a pistol and a hand grenade from the suspects.

Investigations revealed that the arrested associates had close ties with Aabid Qayoom Lone, an active LeT terrorist who fled to Pakistan in 2020 and is currently operating from Pakistan. Lone is believed to have played a pivotal role in radicalizing local youth and orchestrating their recruitment into terrorist activities within the Narbal–Magam area of Budgam district. Police have indicated that the apprehended suspects were acting under his guidance, with plans to execute terror-related operations and further entice young individuals into extremism.