NIA to file FIR in Pakistan funding of terror attacks, stone pelting in Kashmir through Hurriyat leaders
The NIA is probing all aspects of funding of separatist leaders and use of these funds in fuelling unrest in the Valley after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani on July 8, 2016.
In Short
- NIA is likely to file an FIR in Pakistan's funding of Hurriyat leaders.
- FIR is being filed in connection with the funding of stone-pelting, other protests.
- The NIA is probing all aspects of funding of separatist leaders.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is likely to file a First Information Report (FIR) in Pakistan's funding of Hurriyat leaders for stone-pelting and other forms of protest in Jammu and Kashmir, a case exposed by the exclusive investigation conducted by the India Today TV earlier this month.
The FIR follows the NIA's interrogation of separatists Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) leader Farooq Ahmad Dar alias Bitta Karate, Tehreek-e-Hurriyat leader Javed Ahmed alias Gazi Baba, and suspended Hurriyat leader Naeem Khan, who have all reportedly admitted that Hurriyat chief Syed Ali Shah Geelani was getting money from Pakistan frequently through different channels.
The NIA is probing all aspects of funding of separatist leaders and use of these funds in fuelling unrest in the Valley after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani on July 8, 2016.
The agency registered a preliminary inquiry against Hurriyat Chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani and his close aide and Hurriyat provincial President Nayeem Khan, Dar and Baba.
The separatist leaders were alleged to have received money from the Lashkar-e-Taiba and other sources in Pakistan to fund stone-pelting and violent protests in Jammu and Kashmir.
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On May 16, India Today TV had aired its sting operation in which Nayeem Khan had confessed that akistan was pumping in money to stoke trouble in the Valley in connivance with Hurriyat leaders. Three days later, NIA questioned him first.
On May 20, the agency had collected details of 13 accused and chargesheeted accused in cases of arson attacks on schools and public property in Kashmir.
The interrogation revealed that hawala and cross-border trade were the main sources of getting money from Pakistan. The trio, who were asked by the NIA to bring certain bank and property documents, also reportedly admitted they were minor players in this entire nexus.
Sources in the NIA said the facts are being ascertained and the preliminary inquiry of the three separatist leaders is likely to be changed into a regular case. Once the FIR is filed, the NIA is likely to interoogate the Hurriyat veteran Geelani, sources said.
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