Won’t allow any one, irrespective of position or profession, to weaponize social or digital influence to aid terrorism: CIK

Detains doctor, wife; seizes multiple digital devices during search operations

STC NEWS DESK
SRINAGAR, NOVEMBER 18 (STC): Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) has flashed a clear and unambiguous message that no individual, irrespective of position or profession, will be allowed to weaponize social or digital influence to aid terrorism or disturb public order. The agency in a statement to media has said that it remains resolute in its mission to dismantle the terror ecosystem, including its operators, facilitators, sympathizers, promoters, and propagators.
The statement comes in the wake of today’s crackdown and search operations at multiple locations in Kashmir in which the agency detained 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.
The CIK teams have seized multiple digital devices and incriminating material having direct relevance to the investigation. The recoveries include 05 mobile phones, 05 SIM cards, 01 tablet device, and additional digital and documentary evidence and literature.
“Interestingly, Dr. Umer Farooq, who is a government employee, was found indulging in online unlawful activities, misusing his official position and social legitimacy to engage in behavior detrimental to public order and national security.”
“Subsequently, during the course of the investigation, it has also emerged that the detained individuals were misusing their positions and social standing to mask unlawful activities. The female suspect, Shahzada Akhtar, in particular, 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 statement said.
“All recovered devices are undergoing detailed forensic analysis, which is expected to unravel a broader digital network linked to organized propaganda efforts. Early leads indicate the possibility of a wider ecosystem of collaborators and sympathizers, whose activities were aimed at amplifying extremist content and manipulating public perception.”
Notably, giving further details of the searches conducted today, the Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) said that it conducted coordinated searches at four locations across the districts of Srinagar, Kulgam and Anantnag, acting on search warrants issued by the Designated Court under the NIA Act, Srinagar, in connection with FIR No. 05/2025 under Sections 196, 152, 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Police Station CIK.
“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. By leveraging their professional status and societal standing, the involved individuals were allegedly using social media platforms to spread disinformation, radicalize youth, incite violence and disturb public order, posing a serious threat to the peace and sovereignty of the Union of India,” a spokesperson of the CIK said in a statement.

(Straight Talk Communications)