NIA summons Kashmiri PhD scholar, trade leader over terror funding
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) summoned several prominent Kashmiris for questioning on Monday over the Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) terror funding case. This includes Kashmir University PhD student Aala Fazil, Kashmir Traders' and Marketing Federation chief Yaseen Khan and two Hurriyat leaders — Abdul Hameed Magrey and Wali Mohammad. The individuals will be questioned for allegedly funding terror groups and stone pelters.
The Kashmir Traders' and Marketing Federation is protesting Khan's summoning by calling for a strike. The NIA will likely summon the Kashmir Bar Association president Mian Qayoom, according to sources. Points made by Qayoom during his previously recorded statement will be corroborated.
In May, the NIA filed a case against several separatist and secessionist leaders, including those from the Hurriyat Conference. These leaders have been known to act alongside terrorist groups such as Hizbul Mujahideen, Dukhtaran-e-Millat, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and others. The FIR accused the leaders of raising funds through illegal means, including hawala, for separatist and terrorist activities, including stone pelting and damaging public property.
The FIR also named Pakistan-based Jamaat-ud-Dawa and Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed. It also names two Hurriyat factions, led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani and by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, each. The Hizbul Mujahideen terror group and all-women separatist outfit Dukhtaran-e-Millat have also been named.
