Srinagar, Nov 18: The Counter Intelligence Kashmir on Tuesday detained a doctor from Srinagar and his wife during coordinated search operations carried out in Srinagar, Kulgam and Anantnag districts as part of an ongoing investigation into unlawful activities.

Officials said the searches were conducted at four locations on the basis of warrants issued by the Designated Court under the NIA Act in connection with an FIR registered under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. During the operation, investigators detained Dr Umer Farooq Bhat, currently posted at the Super Speciality Hospital, Sheeren Bagh Srinagar, and his wife Shahzada Akhtar, a native of Bugam Kulgam.

According to officials, CIK teams seized several digital devices including five mobile phones, five SIM cards, a tablet and additional material considered relevant to the probe. The recovered devices have been sent for forensic analysis to map possible digital networks and assess the extent of online activities linked to the accused.

Investigators said preliminary findings suggest that Dr Umer Farooq, a government employee, was allegedly misusing his professional standing for online activities considered detrimental to public order and national security. They added that both individuals were suspected of masking unlawful conduct behind their social status and professional legitimacy.

Officials further stated that the female detainee, Shahzada Akhtar, is alleged to have been involved in radicalising local women through online and offline interactions and that her possible links with the banned Dukhtaran-e-Millat are under examination. Early leads indicate the existence of a wider ecosystem of collaborators engaged in amplifying extremist content and influencing vulnerable groups.

The searches are part of a broader crackdown targeting individuals suspected of misusing digital platforms in coordination with handlers across the border. Officials said such activities included dissemination of disinformation, promotion of extremist narratives and attempts to incite disturbance in the region.

CIK said it remains focused on identifying and dismantling networks of operators, facilitators and sympathisers involved in activities that threaten public order and national security. Further action is expected as the investigation progresses. [KNT]

Shopian, Nov 18: A special NIA and UAPA Court for Kulgam and Shopian has sentenced Towseef Ahmed Thokar of Khawajapora Reban, Zainapora, to six years of imprisonment after holding him guilty in the 2021 Imam Sahab encounter case. The case was originally registered under FIR No. 25 of 2021 at Police Station Imam Sahab.

According to the case proceedings, the court concluded that Towseef was involved in offences punishable under Sections 16, 18 and 20 of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, Section 307 of the IPC and Sections 7 and 27 of the Arms Act. The matter had been posted for sentencing on November 17, following which the punishment was formally announced.

The case is linked to an encounter on May 5, 2021, in Imam Sahab where three militants identified as Danish Ahmed Mir, Zahid Bashir and Umar Hassan Bhat were killed. Towseef was taken into custody from the encounter site and weapons were recovered from his possession.

The investigation was led by DySP Muhammad Ashrif Lissery who was then serving as DySP Operations Imam Sahab and is currently the SDPO Magam. The court recorded appreciation for both the investigation team and the prosecution, noting that they placed substantial material on record that stood the test of judicial scrutiny.

Special Judge Parvaiz Iqbal, while delivering the verdict, remarked that the increasing threat posed by militancy required a resolute judicial stance, though without compromising constitutional protections or the right to a fair trial.

The judgment notes that the prosecution succeeded in proving all charges beyond reasonable doubt, establishing Towseef’s involvement in attempted murder, unlawful possession of arms, committing and conspiring to commit a militant act and membership of a banned organisation.

The verdict was pronounced in open court in the virtual presence of the accused, the prosecution and the defence counsel, and a free copy of the judgment was handed over to the convict. (KNT)

Srinagar, Nov 18: Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Tuesday urged authorities to examine why well-educated youth are getting radicalised and drawn into terror activities.

“It is worrying that well-educated youth are getting radicalised and joining terror activities,” Bukhari said, according to news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS) while stating that the phenomenon poses a grave challenge and needs urgent, honest introspection from all stakeholders.

Condemning the recent Delhi blast, the Apni Party chief while addressing a press conference said the party stands against all forms of violence and demands strict punishment for those found involved. “Those involved should be punished. But innocents should not be harassed,” he said, while expressing sympathies with all the victim families affected by the incident.

Bukhari also expressed deep grief over the loss of lives in the accidental blast at Nowgam Police Station on the outskirts of Srinagar. He said the families of those who lost their lives should be properly compensated by the government, and adequate support must be extended to those whose houses and properties suffered damage in the explosion.

“We express our sympathies with all the families who lost their loved ones in the Nowgam police station blast, and those who suffered damages to their houses must also be fairly compensated,” Bukhari added.