NIA takes major action in valley, properties of Jaish-e-Mohammed operatives seized in 9-year-old suicide attack case

Jammu-Kashmir News: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has seized several properties of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist operatives in Jammu and Kashmir. These properties are specifically linked to the 2017 ‘fidayeen’ attack on the CRPF group center in Lethpora, Pulwama. This action is part of the ongoing crackdown on terrorist networks and their funding, under which the NIA has seized properties of the main conspirators. In compliance with recent orders of the NIA Special Court in Jammu, this seizure action under Section 33(1) of the UA(P) Act, 1967, is a major step towards eliminating active terrorist organizations in Jammu and Kashmir.

Properties Seized by NIA

Most of the seized properties belong to Fayaz Ahmad Magrey, a resident of Lethpora, who was arrested in February 2019. The immovable properties seized by the NIA include several plots of land and residential buildings in Lethpora, under the Avantipora police station area of Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir. The NIA charged him in August 2019 under various sections of the RPC and UA(P) Act, and his trial is still ongoing.

Previous Property Seizures

Earlier, in May 2023, the NIA seized six shops belonging to Magrey located in Lethpora. These seizures were carried out under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) based on orders from the NIA Special Court in Jammu. On the night of December 30, 2017, three JeM terrorists attacked the CRPF camp in Lethpora. These terrorists were armed with sophisticated weapons, explosives, and ammunition. The three terrorists forcibly entered the camp and attacked the personnel present, resulting in the martyrdom of five CRPF personnel and injuries to three others. Later, in a retaliatory action, security forces killed all three terrorists involved in the attack.

Who is Fayaz Ahmad?

The NIA investigation revealed that Fayaz was an active ‘Over Ground Worker’ (OGW) of the banned terrorist organization JeM in South Kashmir. It was found that he participated in meetings with the terrorists who planned and executed the deadly attack on the CRPF center. Along with two other individuals named Noor Mohammad Tantray and Mudasir Ahmad Khan, who were JeM operatives, he also conducted reconnaissance of the target camp. Additionally, he arranged weapons for Mudasir and later helped him escape from Lethpora. Noor Mohammad was killed in an encounter with security forces before the attack on the CRPF camp, while Mudasir was killed in another encounter later. The NIA has intensified its actions and has so far seized 109 properties to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir.

Lethpora

Lethpora is a town located in the Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir, India, known for its scenic beauty along the banks of the Jhelum River. Historically, it gained prominence as the site of a tragic suicide attack in February 2019, when a militant detonated an explosive-laden vehicle near a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy, resulting in the deaths of over 40 personnel. The area has since been a focal point for security discussions in the region.

Pulwama

Pulwama is a district in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, known for its picturesque landscapes and as a major producer of high-quality saffron and apples. Historically, it has been part of various regional kingdoms and empires, and in recent decades, it has gained attention due to political unrest and a deadly terrorist attack in 2019. Despite these challenges, the area remains culturally significant for its traditional crafts and agricultural heritage.

Jammu

Jammu is a historic city in northern India, serving as the winter capital of the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Known as the “City of Temples,” it has been a significant cultural and religious center for centuries, with many temples dating back to ancient times, including the famous Vaishno Devi shrine. Historically, Jammu was the seat of the Dogra dynasty, which ruled the region from the 19th century until India’s independence in 1947.

Kashmir

Kashmir is a region in the northern Indian subcontinent renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty, often called “Paradise on Earth.” Historically, it was a major center of Buddhism and later came under the rule of Hindu and Muslim dynasties, including the Mughal Empire, which left a rich architectural and cultural legacy. In the modern era, the region has been a point of territorial dispute between India and Pakistan, leading to ongoing political tensions.

Avantipora

Avantipora is a historic village in Jammu and Kashmir, India, best known for the ruins of two ancient Hindu temples built by King Avantivarman of the Utpala dynasty in the 9th century CE. The larger temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, was once a grand structure with intricate stone carvings, though it now lies in partial ruins due to centuries of natural decay and later use as a source of building materials. Today, the site stands as a significant archaeological and cultural landmark, reflecting the region’s rich pre-Islamic heritage.

CRPF group center in Lethpora

The CRPF Group Centre in Lethpora, located in the Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir, is a major base for the Central Reserve Police Force in the region. It gained tragic notoriety on February 14, 2019, when a suicide bomber targeted a convoy of CRPF personnel near the centre, resulting in one of the deadliest attacks on security forces in the area. The site serves as a crucial hub for counter-insurgency operations and maintaining security in the volatile Kashmir Valley.

CRPF camp in Lethpora

The CRPF camp in Lethpora, located in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district, was the site of a deadly suicide attack on February 14, 2019, when a vehicle-borne bomber targeted a convoy of Central Reserve Police Force personnel, killing over 40 soldiers. This incident marked one of the deadliest attacks on security forces in the region during the Kashmir conflict. The camp serves as a base for CRPF operations in the area, highlighting ongoing security challenges in the region.

South Kashmir

South Kashmir, a region in the Indian-administered union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty, including the famous Mughal gardens, Dal Lake, and the snow-capped Pir Panjal range. Historically, it was a key center of the Kashmir Sultanate and later became a prized possession of the Mughal Empire, serving as a summer retreat for emperors like Jahangir. The area is also culturally significant for its Sufi traditions, ancient temples, and vibrant handicrafts like Pashmina shawls and carpet weaving.