Kashmir terror funding; NIA conducting searches at 6 locations

Srinagar: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) today conducted searches at six places in the summer capital, Srinagar, in the Kashmir valley, where the agency has arrested two stone-pelters and also summoned president of Kashmir Bar Association (KBA) president Advocate Mian Abdul Qayoum to appear before it today at New Delhi in connection with terror funding. Official sources said the NIA has conducted raids at six locations in Srinagar and started searches in connection with terror funding. However, details are awaited.

The agency has already arrested several separatist leaders, including spokespersons of both the factions of the Hurriyat Conference (HC) Aiyaz Akbar and advocate Shahidul Islam, son-in-law of hardline HC chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani Altaf Ahmad Shah and also summoned functionaries of other organisations in connection with terror funds from Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK). Others arrested are Nayeem Khan, Mehrajuddin Kalwal, Peer Saifullah, and Farooq Ahmed Dar alias Bitta Karatayt and businessman Zahoor Watali.

The NIA arrested two youths Javed Ahmad Bhat of Kulgam and Kamran Yousuf of Pulwama in south Kashmir. Meanwhile, NIA has summoned J&K High Court (HC) Bar Association, Kashmir, advocate Mian Abdul Qayoom to New Delhi today in connection with terror funding in the state. However, lawyers across the valley abstained from work yesterday due to a strike called by HC Bar Association, Kashmir, against the NIA notice to advocate Qayoom. (UNI)