In a significant move against terrorism, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has made substantial strides in dismantling the infrastructure of the banned Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist organization. The latest development saw the attachment of seven immovable properties belonging to a high-profile terrorist, Sartaj Ahmed Mantoo, affiliated with JeM.
The properties, including 19 Marlas and 84 Sq ft of land situated at Kisarigam in Pulwama district of Kashmir, were seized under Section 33 (1) of the UA (P) Act, 1967, by orders of the NIA Special Court, Jammu. Sartaj Ahmed Mantoo, a known figure in the terrorist network, was apprehended on January 31, 2020. Subsequently, a significant cache of arms, ammunition, and explosives were recovered from his possession.
The chargesheet against Mantoo was filed on July 27, 2020, and he is currently undergoing trial on various counts including violations of the Arms Act, IPC, Explosive Substances Act, UA (P) Act, and Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933. He stands accused, along with five co-conspirators, of facilitating the infiltration of terrorists into the Kashmir valley. Their activities were aimed at executing terror attacks on security forces as part of a larger anti-India agenda.
JeM, under the leadership of Maulana Masood Azhar, has a notorious history of perpetrating acts of terror in India, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir. The group’s actions have resulted in widespread loss of life and destabilization in the region. Recognizing the severity of JeM’s threat, the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSC) 1267 designated the organization as a “Designated Foreign Terrorist Organization.” Additionally, JeM’s leader, Maulana Masood Azhar, was individually marked as a “Global Terrorist” by the UNSC in 2019.
The NIA’s recent actions mark a significant step in curbing terrorism in the region. Just a week prior, the agency had seized six immovable properties belonging to another prominent JeM militant in Kashmir. These measures underscore the government’s unwavering commitment to countering terrorism and ensuring the safety and security of its citizens.
The NIA’s proactive approach, coupled with international recognition of the threat posed by JeM, reaffirms the collective resolve to eradicate terrorism in all its forms. As the investigation progresses and more terror operatives are brought to justice, it sends a clear message that perpetrators of violence and their supporters will be held accountable for their actions.
