In the wake of Delhi blast of November 10 evening, the police in the Union Territory (UT) of J&K has been kept rather busy by terrorist sympathisers, radical Islamists and such other elements. On November 18, the Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) detained a doctor and his wife for their alleged involvement in unlawful activities.
Speaking to reporters, a CIK spokesperson said: “The Counter Intelligence Kashmir today conducted coordinated search operations at four locations across Srinagar, Kulgam and Anantnag districts. During the operation, two accused: Shahzada Akhtar, wife of Dr Umer Farooq Bhat 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,” he said. “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. It is likely that forensic examination of these gadgets and interrogation of the arrested individuals will lead to more evidence being unearthed.
“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. 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 spokesman said.
“The female suspect, Shahzada Akhtar, in particular, is alleged to have been involved in radicalising local women through curated online and offline engagements, pushing divisive narratives, and influencing vulnerable groups under the pretext of community interaction,’’ the spokesman added.
Her affiliation with banned terrorist organisation ‘Dukhtaran-e-Milat’ (DeM), leb by jailed Ashiya Andrabi, 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.
“All recovered devices are undergoing detailed forensic analysis, which is expected to unravel a broader digital network linked to organised propaganda efforts. Early leads indicate the possibility of a wider ecosystem of collaborators and sympathisers, whose activities were aimed at amplifying extremist content and manipulating public perception,” he added.
The spokesman said; “Searches were conducted on the warrants issued by the Hon’ble Designated Court under the NIA Act, Srinagar, in connection with FIR No. 05/2025 under Sections 196, 152, 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 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. By leveraging their professional status and societal standing, the involved individuals were allegedly using social media platforms to spread disinformation, radicalise youth, incite violence and disturb public order, posing a serious threat to the peace and sovereignty of the Union of India,” he said, adding, “This operation sends a clear and unambiguous message: No individual, irrespective of position or profession, will be allowed to weaponise social or digital influence to aid terrorism or disturb public order.”
“The CIK remains resolute in its mission to dismantle the terror ecosystem, including its operators, facilitators, sympathisers, promoters, and propagators. The crackdown continues, and more actions are expected as the investigation progresses,’’ the spokesman said.
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