Once the thugs of the Valley, meet these 10 funders of terror

Close to JKLF leader, Yasin Malik, he was recently caught on camera confessing that he had got money from Pakistan and other terror groups.

They once called the shots in the Kashmir Valley. On one phone call, they could gather a mob and unleash violence on the streets of Jammu and Kashmir. With the National Investigation Agency cracking down hard on them, they are today scouting for legal help.

The NIA is probing the Hurriyat terror funding case and has arrested scores of separatists. One such high profile arrest was that of Zahoor Watali, a prominent businessman from Srinagar. Let us take a look at the list of high-profile arrests made by the NIA and also their role in the case.

Bitta Karate

Also known as Farooq Ahmed Dar, he is known for his role in a number of attacks including those on Kashmiri Pandits. The NIA seized several documents including a visiting card of the Pakistani naval attache in India.

Zahoor Watali

One of the most crucial links in the case, Watali is said to be close to officials in Pakistan. He is said to be the man who channelised the funds between Pakistan and Kashmir. The NIA accuses him of moving funds from Dubai as well. He is alleged to have moved funds for a commission of 9 per cent.

Mohammad Aslam Wani

He is a hawala operator and a close aide of Shabir Shah. He claimed to the investigators that he had paid Rs 2.5 crore to Shah, a separatist in several installments. While Wani was discharged in a 2005 hawala case, he was convicted under the Arms Act.

Shabir Shah

A hardliner and a prominent separatists from the Valley. The Enforcement Directorate has accused him of money laundering. He is being probed in connection with a 2005 money laundering case and was arrested recently by the ED.

Altaf Ahmad Shah alias Fantoosh

Fantoosh is the son-in-law of Hurriyat hawk, Syed Ali Shah Geelani. Fantoosh was the publicity manager of the Hurriyat. He is accused of negotiating with his contacts in Pakistan and also the High Commission officials in India to obtain visas. The NIA had raided his house and seized incriminating material.

Peer Saifullah

The personal secretary to Geelani, he is said to be in the know about the financial dealings of the Hurriyat. The NIA is probing the banking details among other literature seized from him during the raids.

Mohd Akbar Khandey

The press secretary to Geelani, the allegation against him is that he was closely associated with terrorists from Pakistan occupied Kashmir.

Raja Mehrajuddin Kalwal

He is accused of using funds of the Hurriyat and investing them in properties. It may be recalled that he was arrested in a fake currency case in 2000. The NIA is probing the letter heads and documents relating to land deals which were seized from him.

Nayeem Khan

Close to JKLF leader, Yasin Malik, he was recently caught on camera confessing that he had got money from Pakistan and other terror groups. The NIA seized documents, bank pass books and other material from him during a raid.

Shahid-ul Islam

The media advisor to separatist, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, he is considered to be a major link in the terror funding case. From his home, the NIA had seized letter heads of the Lashkar-e-Tayiba. He is being probed for information he holds on the funding and other banking details.

OneIndia News