The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted raids at multiple locations in Kashmir on Tuesday morning as part of its ongoing investigation into the killings of non-local workers.
The raids were carried out at several locations in Srinagar, Sopore, and Budgam in connection with the killing of two non-local labourers from Punjab, who were attacked in Srinagar’s Shalla Kadal area on February 7, 2024.
The two workers, who were engaged in construction work, were targeted at their rented accommodation.
The deceased, Amritpal Singh and Rohit Masih, both from Punjab, were gunned down by militants associated with The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy group of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
Officials said that the attack was part of a broader strategy to deter migrant workers from staying in the region.
In August 2024, the NIA filed a chargesheet against four militants, including a Pakistan-based handler. According to the chargesheet, Adil Manzoor Langoo, an active terrorist of TRF, allegedly opened fire on the workers, killing Singh on the spot. Masih, who sustained critical injuries, succumbed to them the following day. The other accused named in the chargesheet include Ahran Rasool Dar alias Tota, Dawood, and their Pakistan-based handler Jahangeer alias Peer Sahab.
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According to available information, one of the raids targeted the residence of a well-known business family in Srinagar with roots in Sopore, along with two other locations in Sopore.
Electronic devices and documents were seized for further analysis. Targeted attacks against migrant workers, including truck drivers, began after the abrogation of Article 370.
In addition to migrant workers, some employees from outside Kashmir and a restaurant owner have also lost their lives in similar attacks. The attacks also resulted in the death of a prominent Kashmiri Pandit, a chemist, and a school principal, a woman from the Sikh community.
Following these attacks, the police and the NIA intensified operations against groups involved in such acts.
