Civilian Killings: Ahead of Shah's visit NIA conducts raids in J&K

The National Investigation Agency conducted raids at houses of slain militants, detainee and several other locations in Jammu and Kashmir. Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam areas are being raided

New Delhi:Ahead of the much crucial visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to Jammu & Kashmir from Saturday, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted raids in 10 different locations of South Kashmir against members of the terrorist organisation involved in the killing of civilians.

This will be the first visit of Amit Shah after the abrogation of Article 370. A senior official in the Home Ministry told ETV Bharat that the Home Minister is expected to reach Srinagar on Saturday early morning where he will chair a security meeting with top officials of the Union Territory (UT) administration, Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha, top officials of the Unified Command structure, chief secretary, home secretary, and others. "The Home Minister will also review the developmental projects in the region," the official said.

On Sunday, Shah is expected to address the state leaders of BJP. "The minister is also likely to interact with the leaders of other political parties as well," the official said. Senior government officials from the UT administration and law enforcing agencies are also likely to make presentations before the Shah on the initiatives being taken to maintain the law and order situation and overall development of the region, the official said.

In view of Shah's visit, security has been beefed up in Jammu and Srinagar. CRPF and NIA director-general has been campaigning in Srinagar for the last five days whereas the BSF director-general is also camping in the valley. Meanwhile, the NIA conducted searches in 10 different locations in South Kashmir in connection with the violent terrorist attacks being carried out by suspected Lashkar-e-Toiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, Hizb-ul-Mujahadeen, and Al Badr in the past few days.

"We carried out searches in 10 different locations against suspected terrorist members and overground workers (OGW)," said a senior NIA official. Friday's raids were connected to the raids carried out by NIA on Wednesday where four alleged terror associates were arrested for their involvement in the terrorism conspiracy case. In a related development, Jammu & Kashmir government directs to shift 26 detenues who have been detained under the provisions of Jammu & Kashmir Public Safety Act, 1978 from their present place of lodgement in different jails of Jammu and Kashmir to Central Jail, Agra, Uttar Pradesh with immediate effect.