The J&K Police’s special cell, Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK), on Tuesday (November 18, 2025) detained a doctor and his wife for “unlawful activities online“.
Meanwhile, an Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) court convicted a local militant, who was arrested from an encounter site in 2021 in Shopian.
Officials said CIK teams launched coordinated searches at four locations across the districts of Srinagar, Kulgam and Anantnag on Tuesday. “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,” the police said.
During the operation, officials said two accused, Shahzada Akhtar, wife of Dr. Umer Farooq Bhat, resident 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, Sheerinbagh, Srinagar, were detained.
“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,” the officials said.
Dr. Farooq was allegedly found “indulging in online unlawful activities, misusing his official position and social legitimacy to engage in behaviour detrimental to public order and national security”.
The female suspect is alleged to have been involved in radicalizing local women through curated online and offline engagements, pushing divisive narratives, and influencing vulnerable groups under the pretext of community interaction. “Her affiliation with banned terrorist organization ‘Dukhtaran-e-Milat’, 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,” the police said.
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,” officials said.
This operation, officials said, sends a clear and unambiguous message that no individual, irrespective of position or profession, will be allowed to weaponise social or digital influence to aid terrorism or disturb public order.
Meanwhile, the UAPA court convicted a local militant, Towseef Ahmed Thokar, who was arrested alive from an encounter site at Imam Sahab in Shopian in 2021.
The court sentenced him to six years of imprisonment. The accused was found guilty of terror offences.
“In view of the rising threat of terrorism, courts must adopt a stringent approach against acts that endanger national security and the rule of law, while ensuring that constitutional safeguards and the right to a fair trial are fully upheld,” Special Judge Parvaiz Iqbal held.
On May 5, 2021, an encounter broke out between the security forces and terrorists at Imam Sahab, Shopian. During the encounter, three militants, Danish Ahmed Mir, Zahid Bashir, and Umar Hassan Bhat, were killed, while the accused, Thokar, was apprehended alive from the encounter site along with arms and ammunition.
The investigation of the case was conducted by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Mohammad Ashrif Lissery. The court also commended the Investigating Officer and the prosecution for conducting a thorough and professional investigation and for presenting strong and credible evidence that withstood judicial scrutiny.
“The investigation has been carried out in a professional manner, and the prosecution has systematically presented evidence that led the court to believe in the truthfulness of the prosecution case,” the judgment reads.
Published – November 19, 2025 02:58 am IST
