NIA Attaches Land of Accused in UAPA Case in Baramulla

On Wednesday, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) attached two plots of land in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, acting under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The plots, measuring 7.5 marla (2,050 square feet) and 6 marla (1,632 square feet), are located in Kanispora village and are owned by Shaheen Ahmad Lone. He is an accused in a case the NIA registered in 2020.

The attachment was carried out on the basis of an order passed by a designated NIA court in Jammu under Section 33(1) of the UAPA. This section empowers the court to order attachment of properties connected to the case during investigation or trial, under specific conditions.

The case stems from an investigation by the NIA into an alleged criminal conspiracy involving the banned organisation Hizbul Mujahideen and state agencies of Pakistan. The agency has claimed that the conspiracy was aimed at carrying out militant activities in India, and it involves an illegal arms supply network and funding channels. The probe also looks into reported interactions between members of Hizbul Mujahideen and a former Deputy Superintendent of Police, Devender Singh. Singh was arrested by police in January 2020 along with Hizbul Mujahideen operatives; he is also an accused in the case.

The attachment of property is a procedural step within the ongoing judicial process. Under Indian law, an accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and the attachment does not signify a finding of guilt. It is meant to prevent disposal or transfer of assets that may be subject to confiscation upon conviction, as per the UAPA’s provisions. The accused will have the opportunity to contest the attachment in court.

The NIA has been investigating this case since 2020. According to the agency, the investigation revealed a network through which arms and money were funnelled to sustain militant activities in the Kashmir valley. The agency’s filings in court have detailed the roles of multiple accused, including Lone. The current attachment indicates the continuation of the legal process.

Baramulla, a district in north Kashmir, has witnessed numerous security-related incidents over the years. The UAPA, often invoked in cases concerning national security, allows for stringent measures such as preventive detention and property attachment. However, its application has also been subject to judicial scrutiny to ensure conformity with constitutional protections.

This development is part of a series of actions by the NIA in the union territory. The agency has been attaching properties of accused individuals in multiple terror-related cases in recent months. In May 2026, it attached properties in Pulwama and Shopian districts. Such actions are intended to dismantle support structures for militant networks, according to official statements.

The accused Shaheen Ahmad Lone is currently facing trial. The case continues to be heard in the designated NIA court. Further hearings are expected in the coming weeks. The attachment order is temporary and can be reviewed or modified by the court as the case progresses.