Sleeper cell busted in Shopian, Hizb OGW held: SIA Kashmir

Srinagar, Aug 23: The State Investigation Agency (SIA) Kashmir on Saturday said it achieved a major breakthrough by arresting an overground worker (OGW) of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen from Shopian district.

The accused has been identified as Altaf Hussain Wagay, son of Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Wagay, a resident of Reban Gund, Behram Shopian. Officials said he was working as a sleeper cell for the banned militant outfit.

The arrest was made during the ongoing investigation into FIR No. 01/2025 registered under sections 13, 18, 18-B, 38, 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act at Police Station CI/SIA Kashmir.

According to the SIA, evidence collected during the probe established Wagay’s links with a Hizb-ul-Mujahideen handler operating from across the border. Acting on his directions, the accused was allegedly involved in terrorist conspiracy, propagating anti-India narratives, and furthering unlawful and anti-national activities.

“The activities of the accused were aimed at challenging the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India, while also inciting disaffection, public disorder and communal hatred,” an SIA spokesperson said.

The arrest is a major success in the path towards unearthing the sleeper cells who are highly radicalised, sharing secessionist, unlawful, separatists contents and are also having connections with Pakistan terror handlers/ terrorist organization/ Pakistan intelligence agencies, he added.