STATE INVESTIGATING AGENCY CONDUCTS SEARCHES IN SOUTH KASHMIR

The State Investigating Agency (SIA) Kashmir conducted multiple searches on Thursday in Pulwama, Shopian, and Anantnag districts of south Kashmir in connection with the investigation into the killing of bank guard Sanjay Kumar Sharma.

The searches were conducted at nine locations, including the homes of some suspects. The SIA said that some electronic gadgets, including mobile phones, electronic storage devices, SIM cards, and bank documents, were seized during the searches.

The SIA also said that questioning of certain subjects provided substantial leads in the case. The case was initially investigated by the Pulwama police and was later transferred to the SIA.

The SIA said that the investigation was gradually proceeding and that it was hopeful of taking the case to its logical conclusion for judicial determination.

The killing of Sanjay Kumar Sharma, a 45-year-old bank guard, had triggered widespread protests in south Kashmir. Sharma was shot dead by militants on May 29, while he was on duty at a bank in Achan village of Pulwama district.

The killing of Sharma was the second killing of a bank guard in Kashmir in recent months. In March, militants had killed a bank guard in Kulgam district.

The killing of bank guards has raised concerns about the security of banks in Kashmir. The government has said that it is taking steps to improve the security of banks in the region.

The SIA's searches in south Kashmir are a sign that the government is serious about bringing the perpetrators of the bank guard killings to justice. The SIA has a good track record of solving cases, and it is expected that it will be able to solve the bank guard killings as well.

The killing of bank guards is a serious crime, and it is important that the government takes all necessary steps to prevent such killings from happening again. The SIA's searches are a good start, but the government needs to do more to improve the security of banks in Kashmir.