NIA to probe recent killings of civilians in Kashmir

The NIA had been probing the possibility of a larger conspiracy behind the killings

ITDC INDIA EPRESS/ITDC NEWS R The National Investigation Agency will take over investigations into the killings of multiple civilians in Kashmir by militant groups in recent weeks.

Hindustan Times reported on Tuesday that the NIA will take over the probes into six of the 11 recent killings.

Hindustan Times reported, "The NIA will take over the probe into the killings of Makhal Lal Bindroo, who ran a popular pharmacy in Srinagar; street vendor Virendra Paswan; Supinder Kaur, a Sikh teacher, and her colleague, Deepak Chand; as well as labourers Raja Reshi and Joginder Reshi."

The publication added the agency could take over investigations into the other killings later on.

The NIA had been probing the possibility of a larger conspiracy behind the killings, which happened over the past fortnight, and had conducted multiple raids last week. The government suspects the killings were part of a conspiracy to sow fear in the Kashmir valley and disrupt attempts at expanding business activities in the region.

The Times of India reported "A senior official said that the NIA found that killers executing 'lone wolf' type attacks on non-locals are operating at the behest of their handlers operating from across the border."