NIA raids across Jammu and Kashmir in Jamaat-e-Islami terror financing probe
2 min read . Updated: 15 May 2023, 11:33 AM IST
PremiumJamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir is recognized as an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday conducted ongoing searches in Jammu and Kashmir related to the investigation of terror financing by Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir.
As reported by ANI, Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir is recognized as an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
Earlier on May 11, the Central anti-terror agency carried out searches in Budgam and Baramulla districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
As part of their ongoing efforts to combat terror financing in Jammu and Kashmir, the NIA conducted searches at 16 locations on May 4. The operation targeted Jamaat-e-Islami, a banned organization involved in separatist and secessionist activities.
ANI further noted that despite being declared an unlawful association under the UA(P) Act on February 28, 2019, Jamaat-e-Islami continued to engage in activities related to terror funding in the region.
The NIA had filed a chargesheet in the case in a Special Court, Patiala House, New Delhi, on May 12, 2022, against four accused. It had earlier registered a suo motu case in the matter on February 5, 2021.
During the search operations conducted on May 4, the NIA targeted the premises of Jamaat-e-Islami (J&K) members and supporters at 16 different locations. Out of these, 11 were in Baramulla district in the Kashmir valley, while the remaining five were in Kishtwar district in the Jammu region.
The searches resulted in the seizure of various incriminating materials and digital devices, which are currently under examination for further investigation in the case.
Based on the NIA investigations conducted thus far, it has been discovered that members of Jamaat-e-Islami (J&K) were involved in the collection of funds from both domestic and international sources.
These funds were acquired through donations and were purportedly intended for charitable causes, including the promotion of education and healthcare.
"The funds were, instead, being used for violent and secessionist activities in J&K. They were also being channelled to proscribed terrorist organisations, such as Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and others through well-organised networks of Jamaat-e-Islami cadres," said the NIA.
Further, as per the investigations, Jamaat-e-Islami was also engaged in motivating the impressionable youth of Kashmir and recruiting new members (Rukuns) in J&K for carrying out violent, disruptive, and secessionist activities.
Previous investigations by the NIA had revealed that one of the four arrested accused, identified as Javaid Ahmad Lone, had been soliciting funds and organising meetings in the name of Jamaat-e-Islami (J&K).
He had been delivering hateful anti-India speeches and exhorting people to make donations at these meetings.
Along with Aadil Ahmad Lone, he had also acquired firearms and ammunition with ulterior motives from the other two accused, identified as Manzoor Ahmad Dar and Rameez Ahmad Kondu.
(With inputs from ANI)