The Jammu and Kashmir State Investigation Agency (SIA) has arrested an Over Ground Worker (OGW) from South Kashmir’s Shopian district on Saturday, officials said.
The accused has been identified as Altaf Hussain Wagay, son of Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Wagay of Reban Gund, Behram, Shopian. He was arrested for his alleged links with a sleeper cell network of the banned militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen.
As per officials, the arrest was made during an ongoing investigation into FIR No. 01/2025, registered under Sections 13, 18, 18-B, 38, and 39 at Police Station CI/SIA Kashmir.
During the investigation, the agency collected evidence linking Wagay to a terrorist handler of Hizbul Mujahideen operating from across the border.
The investigation also revealed that, on the directions of the handler, the accused was allegedly orchestrating unlawful and anti-national activities engaging in terrorist conspiracy, and propagating anti-India narratives.
The authorities stated that Wagay’s activities were aimed at challenging India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, while also inciting disaffection, public disorder, and communal hatred.
Officials said the arrest marks a significant breakthrough in efforts to dismantle a sleeper cell network operating in Jammu and Kashmir.
According to the SIA, these cells are highly radicalised, propagate secessionist content, and maintain links with Pakistan-based terror handlers and intelligence agencies.
Over the past two years, security agencies have managed to bring down the number of local recruits for Hizbul Mujahideen to single digits. However, former intelligence officials believe that militancy has not ended but rather gone underground.
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