SIA conducts raids at eight places in Kashmir Valley

The Jammu & Kashmir State Investigation Agency (SIA) on Saturday conducted raids at eight locations in the Kashmir Valley in connection with a case against a cleric, Sarjan Ahmad Wagay alias Barkati, who has allegedly generated Rs 1.5 crore through crowdfunding and suspected militant sources.

SIA officials said they had identified ten suspects who were allegedly involved in this case registered earlier this year.

“Known as pied piper, Barkati used to openly invite and incite youth to take to violence and pull down the Indian state in J&K … Barkati was infamous for mobilising thousands onto streets during the 2016 violent agitation, through his incendiary oratory,” read a statement from the SIA.

Barkati was arrested in 2016 and released in October 2020. He was again arrested in September 2022.

According to the investigating agency, Barkati had utilised the funds he raised for personal benefits, profiteering and furtherance of his secessionist-militant campaign.