Sanjay Pandita
Early Times Report
Jammu, May 16: Police on Saturday carried out extensive searches at more than 15 locations across north Kashmir’s Sopore town in connection with a case registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) against the banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), officials said.
According to officials, the coordinated raids were conducted in several areas, including Jamia Qadeem, Naseem Bagh, Krankshivan, Tarzoo, Amargarh, Warpora, Bomai, Boitingoo and several adjoining localities of Sopore.
The searches were conducted in connection with FIR No. 42/2025 registered at Police Station Sopore under Sections 10 and 13 of the UAPA, which pertain to membership of and support to an unlawful association.
Police said the operation was launched after obtaining search warrants from the designated UAPA court. The searches were carried out in the presence of Executive Magistrates and independent witnesses in strict compliance with legal procedures.
During the raids, police seized incriminating material, including literature allegedly linked to the banned organisation. The recovered items have been taken into custody for detailed examination and as part of the ongoing investigation.
Officials said the operation is part of Sopore Police’s sustained drive to identify and take legal action against individuals suspected of maintaining links with bann "Operation is part of Sopore Police’s sustained drive to identify and take legal action against individuals suspected of maintaining links with banned organisations and anti-national networks."
The Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir was first banned by the Government of India on February 28, 2019, under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for a period of five years, citing allegations that the organisation was supporting extremism and separatist activities in the Union Territory.
In February 2024, the Ministry of Home Affairs extended the ban for another five years, stating that the organisation continued to engage in activities deemed prejudicial to the sovereignty, integrity, and security of the country.
Following the 2019 ban, hundreds of JeI leaders and activists were detained, and numerous properties linked to the organisation were sealed or attached by the authorities as part of a broader crackdown on separatist and militant support networks in Jammu and Kashmir.
Police officials said the latest searches are part of ongoing efforts to dismantle networks associated with proscribed organisations and to prevent unlawful activities in the region.
“The action is aimed at identifying and prosecuting individuals who continue to provide ideological, logistical or other forms of support to banned outfits,” officials said.
Further investigation is underway to determine the extent of the alleged network and to identify any additional individuals involved in activities linked to the proscribed Jamaat-e-Islami. |
