Srinagar, Oct 01: The State Investigation Agency (SIA), Kashmir, on Thursday conducted searches at the residential premises of two persons in Kulgam and Qazigund districts as part of an ongoing investigation into an organised transnational human trafficking and cyber fraud network allegedly trafficking unemployed youth from Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country under the guise of overseas employment.
According to a press note issued by the SIA, the searches were conducted at the residential premises of Gulam Nabi Khanday @ Charlie @ Mohsin @ Jerry Khan, resident of Bungam Chewgam, Kulgam, and Ashiq Hussain Sheikh, resident of Baghpora Yar Khushipora, Qazigund.
The operation was carried out in the early hours of Thursday pursuant to search warrants issued by the competent court in connection with FIR No. 01/2026 of Police Station SIA Kashmir.
During the searches, the SIA seized incriminating material, including mobile phones, identity-related documents, PAN cards, a passport and job agreements, which are being examined as part of the ongoing investigation.
Preliminary investigation has brought to light an alleged modus operandi in which local facilitators, in coordination with foreign-based handlers, lured vulnerable and unemployed youth with offers of employment abroad. The victims were allegedly moved through Thailand to the Myawaddy region of Myanmar, where they were subsequently subjected to exploitation and allegedly compelled to participate in cyber scam operations.
The emerging dimensions of the case indicate the involvement of a transnational chain extending across jurisdictions, involving recruitment, movement, facilitation and exploitation of victims.
The investigation is being pursued to identify the complete network, its local and overseas linkages, and the financial and logistical channels allegedly supporting its operations. Cooperation from national agencies and international partners has also been solicited in the investigation.
The searches constitute an important step in the SIA’s ongoing efforts to identify, trace and dismantle the entire network, establish the role of each person involved, and uncover the mechanisms through which victims were recruited, transported and exploited.
The digital and documentary material seized during the searches will be subjected to detailed examination to establish further linkages, communication channels, financial transactions, recruitment mechanisms and other evidence relevant to the investigation.
The SIA Kashmir reiterated its commitment to pursuing organised and transnational criminal networks with a comprehensive, evidence-based and coordinated investigation, while taking all necessary legal measures to identify the perpetrators and safeguard the interests of victims of such trafficking and exploitation.
Further investigation is in progress.
