NIA raids 56 locations in J&K in terror funding case

An NIA spokesperson told UNI that the its sleuths -- assisted by Police and CRPF -- conducted raids at the officials of some charitable trusts and residences of the members of Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), an outfit that was banned by the centre in 2019 for its ‘closed links’ with militant outfits. The raids started at around 0500 hrs on Sunday.

He said the raids were conducted in Srinagar, Budgam, Ganderbal in central; Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipore in north and Anantnag, Shopian, Pulwama, Kulgam in south Kashmir.

“Jammu division the raids were being conducted in Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar and Rajouri districts,” he added.

He said a case was registered by NIA on February 5, 2021 in pursuance to order from Ministry of Home Affairs relating to separatist and secessionist activities of JeI, an unlawful association under the UA(P) Act, even after its proscription on February 28, 2019.

“The members of the organisation have been collecting funds domestically and abroad through donations particularly in the form of Zakat, Mowda and Bait-ul-Mal purportedly to further charity and other welfare activities but these funds were instead being used for violent and secessionist activities,” he said.

The spokesperson said that the funds raised by JeI were also being channelised to proscribed militant organisations such as Hizbul-Mujahideen (HM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and others through well organised networks of JeI cadres.

“JeI has also been motivating impressionable youth of Kashmir and recruiting new members (Rukuns) in J&K to participate in disruptive secessionist activities,” he said.

Searches conducted included the premises of office bearers of the proscribed association, its members and also offices of trusts purportedly run by JeI. “During the searches today, various incriminating documents and electronic devices were seized from the premises of the suspects,” he added.

Earlier this week, NIA carried out raids and detained a man for questioning in a case pertaining to terror connection in north Kashmir district of Bandipora. On July 31, the NIA raided 14 locations in J&K in connection with cases related to the recovery of IED and the arrest of Lashkar-e-Mustafa top commander Hidayatullah Malik.

Sources said JEI members were collecting funds domestically and abroad through donations particularly in the form of Zakat, Mowda and Bait-ul-Mal purportedly to further charity and other welfare activities  but these funds are instead being used for violent and secessionist activities.

The funds raised by JeI are also being channelised to proscribed terrorist organisations such as Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and others through well organised networks of JeI cadres, sources said.

JeI has also been motivating impressionable youth of Kashmir and recruiting new members ( Rukuns) in J&K to participate in disruptive secessionist activities.

(With UNI inputs)