J&K SIA cracks down against human trafficking
In a significant action against an organised transnational human trafficking and cyber fraud network, the State Investigation Agency (SIA), Kashmir, on Thursday conducted searches 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 Khusorganisedhipora, Qazigund.
The searches form part of an ongoing investigation into a serious and organised network allegedly engaged in trafficking unemployed youth from Jammu & Kashmir and other parts of the country under the guise of overseas employment, followed by their exploitation in cyber fraud operations in Myanmar.
The operation was carried out in the early hours pursuant to search warrants issued by the competent Court in connection with FIR No. 01/2026 of Police Station SIA Kashmir.
According to official sources, 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.
According to official sources, 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 sources said 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 accordingly being pursued to identify the complete network, its local and overseas linkages, and the financial and logistical channels allegedly supporting its operations.
The SIA is learnt to have sought co-operation from National agencies and international partners in this important investigation.
“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”, official sources added.
SIA is pursuing the leads 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 SIA is taking all necessary legal measures to identify the perpetrators and safeguard the interests of victims of such trafficking and exploitation”, official sources said.
