The National Investigation Agency (NIA) questioned the head of a Srinagar-based traders’ body and a Kashmir University Ph.D. student here on Monday in connection with a case related to the funding of terror activities in Kashmir, an official said.
An NIA spokesman said Yasin Khan of the Kashmir Traders and Marketing Federation, and Ph.D scholar Aala Fazil were questioned about alleged funding to various groups that pelted stones at security forces, he said.
The NIA had registered a case on May 30 against separatist and secessionist leaders, including unidentified members of the Hurriyat Conference, who have been acting allegedly in connivance with active militants of proscribed terrorist organisations Hizbul Mujahideen, Dukhtaran-e-Millat, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and other outfits and gangs.
The case was registered for raising, receiving and collecting funds through various illegal means, including hawala, for funding separatist and terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir and for causing disruption in the Valley by pelting the security forces with stones, burning schools, damaging public property and waging war against India, the NIA said in the FIR. The NIA has arrested 10 people in the case, including Altaf Ahmed Shah, the son-in-law of Geelani, and noted businessman Zahorr Watali.
Geelani's close aides Ayaz Akbar, who is also the spokesperson of the hardline separatist organisation Tehreek- e-Hurriyat, and Peer Saifullah have also been arrested.