Kulgam: Airtel Vendor Chargesheeted for Issuing SIM Card to Terrorist

ANN NEWS

Kulgam, May 22, 2025 – The Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) unit of the Jammu and Kashmir Police has produced a chargesheet against Mudasir Ahmad Sheikh, a resident of Hanand Chawalgam, Kulgam, for his alleged role in facilitating terrorist activities by fraudulently issuing a SIM card to a terrorist. The chargesheet was presented before the Hon’ble Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Kulgam, in connection with FIR No. 18/2020 registered at Police Station CIK Srinagar.

 

 

 

 

Sheikh, a vendor operating an Airtel franchise under the name “Micro World” in Kulgam, is accused of forging an electoral identity card and manipulating a Customer Application Form (CAF) to issue a SIM card against a non-existent person. Investigations revealed that the SIM card was subsequently used by a terrorist for communication and coordination of terrorist acts. The chargesheet invokes sections 420 (cheating), 468 (forgery for cheating), 471 (using forged documents), and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code, along with section 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

 

 

 

 

The case, initiated on October 9, 2020, following credible intelligence, uncovered a pre-planned conspiracy involving terrorists, members of proscribed organizations, and their sympathizers, including overground workers (OGWs). The CIK probe established that certain franchisees and points of sale, including Sheikh’s outlet, were complicit in providing SIM cards to terrorists through fraudulent means, bypassing verification protocols.

Authorities have appealed to the public, particularly the youth of the Kashmir Valley, to exercise caution and adhere to advisories to prevent the misuse of personal documents for obtaining SIM cards. The police have also urged citizens not to share their SIM cards with anyone, regardless of familiarity, to curb such illegal activities.

 

 

 

 

This development underscores the ongoing efforts of security agencies to dismantle networks supporting terrorism in the region, emphasizing the critical role of public cooperation in maintaining security. Further investigations are underway to identify additional links in this conspiracy.