NIA carries raids in ex-DSP Davinder Singh case in Kashmir

Simultaneous raids were conducted at Wagar village in central Budgam district by the national probe agency sleuths.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted fresh raids in Srinagar and Baramulla districts of Kashmir on Tuesday in the case of suspended Deputy Superintendent Police (DSP) Davinder Singh and Hizbul Mujahideen militant Naveed Babu.

Reports said the NIA sleuths, accompanied by paramilitary CRPF and J&K police, raided the house of alleged militant associates at multiple locations in Baramulla and Srinagar.

A spokesperson of the NIA confirmed that the houses of close associates of accused Tariq Mir, who was arrested by the NIA on April 29 for his role in smuggling and supply of weapons to terrorists, were searched.

The associates whose houses were searched include Azad Ahmad Pir of Dardkote, Uri, Haleema Begum of Boniyar, Shaheen Lone of Kanspora, working as an Inspector in the Power Development Department, his father- in-law’s house at Palhalan, Shareen Bibi wife of accused Tariq Mir of Chinad, all in Baramulla and Tafazul Parimoo of Rehmatabad, Hyderpora, in Srinagar.

Several incriminating documents and digital devices were seized during these searches, he said.

DSP Singh was arrested on January 11 by the police, while transporting two Hizbul militants, Naveed Babu and Rafi Ahmed, and a lawyer Irfan Ahmed in a vehicle to Jammu. The NIA had filed a charge-sheet against Singh and others in July for alleged terror activities in the country.

“The investigation has revealed a deep-rooted conspiracy hatched by Hizbul leadership, Pakistani spy agency ISI and an OGW network that facilitates the supply of funds, arms, and ammunition to the terrorists in J&K,” the spokesperson said.

The NIA had booked Singh and four others under Arms Act, Explosive Substance Act, and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and recovered 32 items from them including an AK-47 rifle and US and Chinese made pistols and ammunition.

The NIA also carried out searches at the premises of cross LoC-traders in connection with alleged illegalities in the trade. Those traders whose premises were searched included Peer Arshid Iqbal Khawaja Bagh, Baramulla, currently lodged in Kathua jail, Jammu in a narcotics case, Tariq Sheikh of Tawheed Gunj, Baramulla, currently in Baramulla jail in a narcotics case.

Besides, the premises of Bashir Ahmad Sofi of Khwajabagh, a district-level Hurriyat leader, and Abdul Hamid Lone of Gundpura, Sopore were also searched. “Searches have yielded several incriminating documents and digital devices. Further investigation in the case is continued,” the NIA statement added.