The National Investigation Agency (NIA) carried out synchronized search operations across three districts of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, targeting seven locations in connection with a terrorism conspiracy linked to handlers based in Pakistan.
The raids were spread across Kulgam, where two premises were searched; Bandipora, which saw action at three sites; and Sopor, where two locations were raided. Teams from the NIA were accompanied by local police forces and security personnel during the operations, officials confirmed.
According to sources familiar with the probe, the searches are part of an ongoing investigation into a covert terror network that receives direction and coordination from handlers operating from Pakistani territory. The agency is specifically examining the role of local Over Ground Workers (OGWs) who allegedly form a logistical support network for militants who have infiltrated into the Valley.
Under Indian law and security parlance, Over Ground Workers refer to individuals who remain outside formal terrorist organizations but provide essential ground-level assistance. This support can include arranging safe houses, facilitating the movement of infiltrators, gathering intelligence, and procuring materials needed for terrorist activities. Investigators believe several such individuals operate within these districts, forming a distributed support structure that is difficult to dismantle through conventional policing methods.
Security experts note that the NIA's focus on OGW networks reflects a broader strategic shift in how counter-terrorism investigations are being conducted in the region. Rather than targeting only armed militants, agencies are now working to disrupt the entire ecosystem that enables terrorist operations — from planning and funding to logistics and local support.
The investigation, which was reportedly already underway, has gained additional momentum with these coordinated raids. Authorities have not yet disclosed whether any arrests were made during the search operations or if incriminating material was recovered. Details regarding the specific nature of the conspiracy, the identities of those under investigation, and any charges filed will likely emerge as the probe progresses.
The NIA, established after the 2008 Mumbai attacks, serves as India's primary central counter-terrorism investigation agency and has been increasingly active in cases involving cross-border links.
