The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday launched a series of raids at eight locations across Jammu and Kashmir in connection with a case of terrorist infiltration. The raids were conducted in Reasi, Doda, Udhampur, Ramban, and Kishtwar districts, as part of ongoing efforts to counter terrorism in the region.

Earlier, the NIA arrested Muneer Ahmad Banday, a key conspirator in a 2020 narco-terror case. Banday, who had evaded arrest for four years, was linked to a plot orchestrated by banned Pakistan-based terrorist organizations, including Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM). The conspiracy involved smuggling narcotic drugs to generate funds for promoting terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of India.

The plot came to light in June 2020 when police in Handwara, Kupwara district, intercepted a vehicle at Kairo Bridge and seized 2 kilograms of heroin and ₹20 lakh in cash. Investigations revealed that the funds were intended to support terrorist activities through a network of overground workers (OGWs).

The NIA is continuing with its investigations to dismantle the narco-terror network and eradicate the root of the terror funding in the country, particularly in Kashmir.

(With inputs from ANI)