Terror funding case: NIA conducts searches in Kashmir

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) today conducted searches at about a dozen locations in Jammu and Kashmir in connection with the terror funding case against separatists and others which included the residence of a relative of a ruling PDP MLC.
Officials in the central probe agency said the searches were carried out at 12 locations in Srinagar, Baramulla Kupwara, Pulwama and Handwara.
They said the premises belonging to advocate Shafi Reshi, an relative of a PDP Member of the Legislative Council (MLC), and those of Zahoor Watali were searched.
"A lot of incriminating material, suspect financial records, property-related documents and electronic devices including mobile phones, pen drives and hard drives have been seized during the searches," a senior NIA official said.

He said some of the seized documents related to the receipt of money from suspect foreign sources and its subsequent distribution to "certain persons" in the Kashmir Valley.
The suspects were being questioned, he said.

The searches were part of the NIA expanding the abmit of its probe in this case in which it had registered an FIR early this year.
The central probe agency had arrested seven persons on July 24 in the case of alleged funding of terror and subversive activities in the Kashmir Valley to fuel unrest.
The NIA had alleged that money was being raised to fund separatist and terror activities in J&K.

The agency had claimed that the accused were waging war against the country and were involved in various offences punishable under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
It had also alleged that the accused were involved in creating unrest by way of anti-India demonstrations and bandhs.