Baramulla, June 17: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday conducted searches at Kanispora area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district as part of its ongoing investigation into a militancy-related case being probed by the agency.
Official sources said NIA teams raided the residence of Shaheen Ahmad Lone at Kanispora. Lone has been lodged in Tihar Jail for the past several years in connection with a case being investigated by the premier agency.
The development comes against the backdrop of earlier proceedings in which the Special Judge designated under the NIA Act in Jammu had allowed an application filed by the agency for attachment of immovable properties allegedly belonging to Shaheen Ahmad Lone under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
According to investigation records, the case pertains to the interception of a Hyundai i20 vehicle at Al-Stop Naka near Mir Bazar in Kulgam on January 11, 2020. During the operation, arms, ammunition and other incriminating material were allegedly recovered from the vehicle.
Subsequently, the Ministry of Home Affairs transferred the investigation to the National Investigation Agency, which formally took over the case on January 17, 2020.
The NIA has alleged that Shaheen Ahmad Lone functioned as an overground worker of proscribed militant organizations and was involved in facilitating the clandestine movement of arms, ammunition and explosives from across the Line of Control for further distribution among militants operating in Kashmir.
Officials did not immediately disclose details of the material, if any, seized during today’s searches. [KNT]
