The Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) today conducted coordinated searches in the valley, and detained a senior doctor and his wife, for misusing their professional positions for unlawful activities.
As per the official communiqué, acting on search warrants issued by the Designated Court under the NIA Act, Srinagar, the CIK conducted searches at four locations across the districts of Srinagar, Kulgam and Anantnag in connection with cases registered under relevant sections at Police Station CIK.
These searches are part of an ongoing crackdown against social media abusers operating in connivance with handlers across the border, who have been deliberately engaged in furthering terrorist, secessionist, and separatist agendas.
During the operation, the two accused, namely Shahzada Akhtar, wife of Dr Umer Farooq Bhat, resident of Bugam Kulgam and presently residing at Sheeren Bagh Srinagar, with her husband Dr. Umer Farooq Bhat, who is presently working in Super Speciality of SMHS Hospital, Sheeren Bagh Srinagar, were detained.
The CIK teams seized multiple digital devices and incriminating material having direct relevance to the investigation.
The recoveries include five mobile phones, five SIM cards, one tablet device, and additional digital and documentary evidence and literature.
Interestingly, Dr. Umer Farooq, who is a government employee, was found indulging in online unlawful activities, misusing his official position and social legitimacy to engage in behaviour detrimental to public order and national security, the statement said.
Subsequently, during the course of the investigation, it has also emerged that the detained individuals were misusing their positions and social standing to mask unlawful activities.
The female suspect, Shahzada Akhtar, in particular, is alleged to have been involved in radicalizing local women through curated online and offline engagements, pushing divisive narratives, and influencing vulnerable groups under the pretext of community interaction.
Her affiliation with banned terrorist organization ‘Dukhtaran-e-Milat’, is currently under investigation. This dimension of the case highlights a concerning trend of the exploitation of social roles and professional facades to advance disruptive agendas, it read.
“No individual, irrespective of position or profession, will be allowed to weaponize social or digital influence to aid terrorism or disturb public order. CIK remains resolute in its mission to dismantle the terror ecosystem, including its operators, facilitators, sympathizers, promoters, and propagators. The crackdown continues, and more actions are expected as the investigation unfolds,” read the message issued by the CIK.
