Srinagar, March 27: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday conducted raids at three locations under the jurisdiction of Rajbagh Police Station in connection with the grenade attack that took place near the Tourism Reception Centre (TRC) in Srinagar last year.
Sources told Srinagar-based news gathering agency Kashmir Dot Com that the raids targeted individuals accused of carrying out the attack, which left twelve people injured and claimed the life of a woman from Bandipora.
According to sources, NIA teams carried out searches at the residences of Sheikh Usama, son of Yaseen Sheikh, Umer Fayaz Sheikh, son of Fayaz Ahmad Sheikh, and Afnaan Mansoor Naik, son of Mansoor Ahmad Naik.
Sources added that all three individuals, presently resides at Ikhrajpora in Jawahar Nagar, who are currently under detention have allegedly acted as Over Ground Workers (OGWs) in the case and carried out the attack at the behest of Pakistani handlers.
The agency is reportedly looking for gathering further evidences in the case.
The grenade blast, which occurred in November 2024, had prompted the police to register an FIR (No. 66/2024) at Kothibagh Police Station under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and the Explosive Substances Act.
The police later arrested these three individuals. Following their arrest, the investigation into the case continued, leading to today’s NIA raids as part of efforts to gather additional evidence and uncover any possible wider network behind the attack.
Officials have so far remained tight-lipped about the outcome of the searches, but sources indicate that electronic devices and documents have been seized for further examination. (KDC)