On Wednesday, October 8, 2025, the State Investigation Agency (SIA) of Jammu and Kashmir launched a sweeping operation across the Kashmir Valley, targeting suspected sleeper cell networks linked to the banned terrorist outfits Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad. In a meticulously coordinated effort, SIA teams conducted searches at eight locations spread over seven districts, aiming to dismantle a network accused of spreading secessionist propaganda and radicalizing young people—a development that officials say poses a direct threat to India’s sovereignty.
According to statements from the SIA, the operation forms part of an ongoing investigation registered as FIR No. 01/2025. The probe centers on a sleeper cell module that, investigators allege, operates under the direction of commanders from Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad. These groups have a long history of orchestrating attacks and fomenting unrest in the region, and authorities believe their current focus is on recruiting vulnerable youth and inciting public disorder through targeted propaganda campaigns.
The day-long operation unfolded simultaneously across the northern, central, and southern districts of Kashmir. Law enforcement officials rounded up several suspects for further questioning during the raids. Substantial amounts of incriminating material were also seized, though officials have not yet disclosed the precise nature of the evidence collected. According to the SIA spokesperson, "The module is being used to spread secessionist propaganda, thereby radicalising and recruiting youth into the terror fold." This statement, reported by the International Business Times, underscores the authorities' concern about the growing influence of extremist messaging among the region’s younger population.
The SIA’s actions this week are the latest in a series of efforts to strike at what officials describe as the “roots of the terror ecosystem” in Jammu and Kashmir. The agency’s spokesperson told Devdiscourse that these operations highlight a commitment to “dismantling the terror framework and maintaining national security.” The ongoing investigation has, according to preliminary findings, “clearly brought out the active involvement of these entities in a terrorist conspiracy aimed at propagating and furthering anti-India narratives—not only to challenge the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country but also to incite disaffection, public disorder, and communal hatred.”
For years, sleeper cells have posed a unique challenge to law enforcement in conflict-prone regions. Unlike conventional militant groups, these clandestine networks often operate in the shadows, blending into civilian populations and activating only when directed by handlers. Their activities can range from logistical support and recruitment to more direct involvement in attacks or the dissemination of extremist content. The SIA’s focus on rooting out such networks reflects a broader shift in counterterrorism strategy—one that prioritizes prevention and disruption over reactive measures.
While the SIA’s anti-terror operation dominated headlines, authorities in Srinagar were also making moves on another front: the fight against drug trafficking. In a separate but equally significant action, Srinagar Police attached a residential property and a parcel of land valued at approximately ₹75 lakh under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The property, a shared double-storey house and 2.5 marlas of land located at Kenihama, BK Pora, Nowgam, is registered in the name of Mohammad Jaffar Ganie, father of Parwaiz Ahmad Ganie—also known as Pawa—who is currently detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA).
Parwaiz Ahmad Ganie has been named in FIR No. 128/2022, registered at Police Station Nowgam under sections 8, 22, and 29 of the NDPS Act. Investigators determined that Parwaiz holds a share in the property, with a dedicated room and a specific portion of the land. Acting under Section 68-F of the NDPS Act, and with all required legal procedures followed—including the presence of an Executive Magistrate and two independent witnesses—authorities formally attached the property. Approval for this action was granted by the competent authority, and due notice was served as per legal requirements. The owner is now legally barred from selling, leasing, or otherwise altering the property or creating any third-party interests in it.
This property attachment, as reported by International Business Times, is part of a broader campaign by the Jammu and Kashmir Police to eradicate drug-related activities in the region. The police emphasized that such measures are necessary to create a drug-free society in Srinagar, highlighting the intersection between narcotics trafficking and broader security concerns. It’s a reminder that the fight against terrorism and the battle against organized crime often go hand-in-hand, with law enforcement agencies targeting the financial and logistical networks that sustain both.
These dual operations—one aimed at terror networks and the other at drug trafficking—reflect the evolving security landscape in Jammu and Kashmir. Authorities are increasingly aware that the threats facing the region are multifaceted, with criminal and extremist elements often overlapping or cooperating. By seizing assets and dismantling sleeper cells, officials hope to send a clear message: the days of impunity for those undermining peace and security are numbered.
Yet, the challenges remain daunting. The Kashmir Valley has long been a flashpoint for violence and unrest, with periodic surges in recruitment by militant groups and a persistent flow of narcotics across porous borders. Experts warn that while high-profile raids and property seizures can disrupt operations in the short term, sustained progress will depend on a combination of intelligence-led policing, community engagement, and robust legal follow-through.
The authorities, for their part, appear undeterred. As the SIA spokesperson noted, "The searches highlight the continued and unrelenting efforts of the State Investigation Agency to ensure that the entire module is dismantled, with the aim of striking at the very roots of the terror ecosystem." The same resolve is echoed by police officials involved in the anti-drug campaign, who stress the importance of targeting not just individuals but the infrastructure that enables criminal enterprises to flourish.
For ordinary residents of the Kashmir Valley, these recent actions offer a glimmer of hope that peace and stability might one day prevail. Still, the road ahead is long and fraught with obstacles. As investigations continue and more details emerge, the people of Jammu and Kashmir—and indeed, the rest of India—will be watching closely to see whether these latest moves mark a turning point in the region’s struggle against extremism and organized crime.
With the SIA and Srinagar Police intensifying their efforts, the message from law enforcement is clear: those who seek to destabilize the valley, whether through violence or vice, will find themselves increasingly isolated and under scrutiny. It’s a decisive stance at a critical juncture, one that underscores the high stakes in the ongoing battle for Kashmir’s future.