CIK Kashmir raids Srinagar, Ganderbal, Anantnag in UAPA probe
Synopsis
Jammu and Kashmir Police's Counter Intelligence wing hit three districts simultaneously on 27 June, targeting individuals linked to a live UAPA case. A mobile phone seized at an Anantnag mosque imam's residence is now headed for forensic analysis — a detail that could define where this investigation goes next.
Key Takeaways
CIK Kashmir conducted simultaneous raids in Srinagar , Ganderbal , and Anantnag on 27 June .
Raids are linked to FIR No.
07/2023 under the UAPA and multiple IPC sections including promoting enmity and criminal intimidation.
A Redmi 9 Note Pro mobile phone was seized from the Anantnag residence for forensic examination .
One of those searched, Gulzar Ahmad Rather ( 42 ), has served as Imam at Phali Masjid Nowgam since 2012 .
Operations in Srinagar and Ganderbal were still ongoing when last reports came in; the Anantnag raid concluded peacefully.
The Counter Intelligence wing Kashmir (CIK) of Jammu and Kashmir Police on Saturday, 27 June conducted simultaneous raids across multiple districts of the Kashmir Valley as part of an ongoing investigation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The coordinated searches targeted locations in Srinagar, Ganderbal, and Anantnag districts, with operations reportedly still underway at several sites when last reports came in.
Background and Legal Framework
The raids are linked to FIR No. 07/2023, registered at the CIK Police Station JIC in Srinagar. The case invokes multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) alongside the stringent UAPA, including provisions related to promoting enmity and criminal intimidation, according to officials. The UAPA is one of India's most sweeping counter-terrorism statutes, allowing extended detention and asset seizure.
Key Locations Raided
In Srinagar, a CIK team searched the residence of Riyaz Ahmad Beigh, son of Noor Mohammad Beigh, originally from Maharaj Gunj and currently residing at Hokarsar near Shalteng Police Station for the past 16 years.
In Ganderbal, a team led by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) Nissar Ahmad carried out searches at the house of Syed Qalandar Shah, son of Barkat Shah, a resident of Chountwaliwar Lar. That search was still underway when last reports came in.
In Anantnag, a CIK team led by the local DySP, accompanied by NT Mudasir Yosuf Bhat, raided the residence of Gulzar Ahmad Rather (42), son of Abdul Gani Rather, of Nowgam, Kapran. Rather, a Class 10 pass-out, has reportedly been serving as the Imam at Phali Masjid Nowgam since 2012, according to sources.
Evidence Seized
During the search at the Nowgam Verinag location in Anantnag, investigators recovered and seized a Redmi 9 Note Pro mobile phone, which was taken into custody for forensic examination in connection with the UAPA case, sources said. Officials confirmed the Anantnag raid concluded peacefully without any untoward incident.
Operations Ongoing
Searches at the remaining locations in the Valley were continuing at the time of last reports, with further details awaited from the CIK. This operation is part of a broader pattern of counter-intelligence activity in the Valley, where UAPA cases have been used to investigate alleged networks linked to militancy and separatism. The outcome of forensic analysis of the seized device is expected to shape the next phase of the investigation.
Point of View
Multi-district sweep signals that the CIK's UAPA investigation has moved beyond surveillance into active evidence-gathering — a qualitative escalation. The inclusion of a sitting mosque imam among those searched is notable and will draw scrutiny: UAPA's broad provisions have previously been criticised by civil liberties groups for targeting individuals without public disclosure of specific allegations. The forensic examination of a seized mobile device is likely the pivot on which the next phase of this case turns. What remains absent from official communication is any detail on the precise allegations against those searched — a transparency gap that courts have increasingly flagged in UAPA proceedings.
NationPress
27 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CIK Kashmir UAPA raid about?
The Counter Intelligence wing Kashmir (CIK) of Jammu and Kashmir Police conducted simultaneous raids across Srinagar, Ganderbal, and Anantnag on 27 June as part of an investigation into FIR No. 07/2023, registered under the UAPA and multiple IPC sections. The case involves alleged offences including promoting enmity and criminal intimidation.
Who were the targets of the CIK raids on 27 June?
Three individuals were searched: Riyaz Ahmad Beigh in Srinagar, Syed Qalandar Shah in Ganderbal, and Gulzar Ahmad Rather in Anantnag. Rather, aged 42, has reportedly served as the Imam at Phali Masjid Nowgam since 2012.
What was seized during the Kashmir UAPA raids?
A Redmi 9 Note Pro mobile phone was recovered and seized from the residence of Gulzar Ahmad Rather at Nowgam Verinag in Anantnag district. It has been taken into custody for forensic examination in connection with the UAPA case.
What is the UAPA and why is it significant in this case?
The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) is India's primary counter-terrorism law, allowing extended detention and asset seizure. Its invocation in FIR No. 07/2023 indicates that investigators believe the alleged activities may have links to militancy or organisations deemed unlawful by the government.
Were any arrests made during the CIK Kashmir raids?
No arrests were reported during the raids. Officials confirmed that the Anantnag search concluded peacefully without any untoward incident, while operations in Srinagar and Ganderbal were still ongoing when last reports came in.
