NIA chargesheets two in 2023 Kokernag encounter case

Srinagar, Mar 16: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday chargesheeted two accused in the Kokernag (Jammu & Kashmir) encounter case.

In a statement issued to News Agency Kashmir Scroll, NIA said that the chargesheet filed today before the NIA Special Court, Jammu, names Mohd Akbar Dar and Ghulam Nabi Dar, both residents of Kokernag area of Anantnag. They have been charged under various sections of IPC, Arms Act and UA(P) Act.

"The case (RC-04/2023/NIA/JMU) relates to a week-long encounter that took place at Guri Nad Forest, Halpora Kokernag, in which terrorist Uzair Khan was neutralised by the security forces," Spokesperson said .

He said that the terrorist killed in the encounter was an active member of The Resistant Front (TRF), an off-shoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).  Uzair had joined the LeT in August 2022 and was involved in promoting terror activities against security forces in Anantnag area through Pakistani handlers from across the border. He had also been involved in earlier terror incidents in the Kokernag area, and on previous two occasions, he had managed to flee from the clutches of the security forces after taking advantage of the mountainous/forest terrain.

"Investigations revealed that the accused Mohd Akbar Dar and Ghulam Nabi Dar were working as OGWs for terrorist Uzair Khan. The duo was helping the terrorists active in the area to commit terror acts & activities in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir," he said

"They were providing information about the movement of the security forces, along with logistic support in the form of food, daily need items, etc. They were also harbouring terrorists by providing them shelter," he added.

Both LeT and TRF are proscribed organisations and have been involved in continuous instigation/motivation of Kashmiri youth  to join the terror outfits in the name of Jihad.

LeT is the largest terrorist group formed in early 1990s, and actively engaged in reviving the network in the Anantnag area. It is working through various offshoots in Jammu & Kashmir region. The two outfits are operating on social media platforms like Twitter, Telegram and Youtube channels to promote their cause and lure unemployed youth to carry out terror activities.

The case was initially registered on 13th September 2023 at PS Kokernag, Anantnag, and re-registered by NIA on 5th December.