SIA Steps Up Probe into Kashmiri Pandit Nurse Murder; Raids at Multiple Locations in J&K

Srinagar (The Uttam Hindu): Jammu and Kashmir 's Special Investigation Agency (SIA) on Tuesday raided 8 locations in different areas of Srinagar in connection with the murder of Kashmiri Pandit nurse Sarla Bhatt in 1990. This is the first time that the SIA has taken any action in connection with the investigation of this 35-year-old murder.

SIA raids 8 locations in Jammu and Kashmir in connection with Kashmiri Pandit nurse killing case, raids also conducted at Yasin Malik's house: According to sources, the raids were conducted at locations mostly related to former commanders of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF). These include the residence of former JKLF chief Yasin Malik in Maisuma. It is being said that many important documents and electronic evidence have been recovered during these raids.

Sarla Bhatt, a young Kashmiri Pandit nurse, was brutally murdered in April 1990. At that time, there was a series of attacks on Kashmiri Pandits in the valley, forcing thousands of families to leave the valley. Sarla Bhatt's murder awaited justice for a long time.

Recently, the Lieutenant Governor's administration has decided to reopen the cases of attacks and murders on Kashmiri Pandits in the 1990s. Under this decision, SIA has started this latest action.

SIA sources say that this raid is part of the initial phase of the investigation. Information is being collected about the role of the suspects involved, conspiracy aspects and other associates. Interrogation and arrests are also expected soon. This step has brought a new hope to the victim families who have been waiting for justice for a long time.