The State Investigation Agency (SIA), Kashmir, on Thursday conducted searches at two residential premises in Kulgam and Qazigund as part of an ongoing investigation into an alleged transnational human trafficking and cyber fraud network.
According to an SIA spokesperson, searches were carried out at the residences of Gulam Nabi Khanday alias Charlie, Mohsin and Jerry Khan of Bungam Chewgam, Kulgam, and Ashiq Hussain Sheikh of Baghpora Yar Khushipora, Qazigund.
The searches were conducted in the early hours on the basis of warrants issued by a competent court in connection with FIR No. 01/2026 registered at Police Station SIA Kashmir.
The agency said the case concerns an alleged organised network involved in trafficking unemployed youth from Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country on the pretext of overseas employment, before allegedly exploiting them in cyber fraud operations in Myanmar.
During the searches, the SIA seized mobile phones, identity-related documents, PAN cards, a passport and job agreements. The material is being examined as part of the ongoing investigation, the agency said.
According to the preliminary investigation, local facilitators allegedly worked with foreign-based handlers to lure unemployed and vulnerable youth with promises of jobs abroad.
The recruits were allegedly taken through Thailand to the Myawaddy region of Myanmar, where they were subsequently subjected to exploitation and allegedly forced to participate in cyber scam operations, the SIA said.
The agency said the investigation has indicated a possible transnational chain involving recruitment, transportation, facilitation and exploitation of victims across different jurisdictions.
The probe is now focused on identifying the wider network, including its local and overseas linkages and the financial and logistical channels allegedly supporting its activities.
The SIA said assistance from national agencies and international partners has also been sought as the investigation progresses.
