NIA raids continue across several locations in Jammu and Kashmir

The National Investigation Agency is continuing with its raids across several locations in Jammu and Kashmir.

The raids pertain to the criminal conspiracy hatched by terror groups operation under various pseudo-names, at the behest of Pakistan's ISI. The raids are taking place in Anantnag, Srinagar, Poonch, Rajouri, Kupwara and Kishtwar.

The raids also are taking place in the backdrop of the Rajouri and Poonch attacks by the Lashkar-e-Tayiba in which 10 Army jawans lost their lives.

Earlier this month the NIA conducted raids in Jammu and Kashmir in a case related to the separatist and secessionist activities of the banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI).

The JeI has been carrying out terror funding activities in Jammu and Kashmir even after it was declared an unlawful association. The NIA carried out searches at the premises of the JeI at 16 locations, including 11 in District Baramulla in Kashmir valley and the remaining 5 located in District Kishtwar in Jammu region. Several incriminating materials and digital devices were seized during the searches and were being examined for more clues in the case.

NIA investigations so far have revealed that JeI (J&K) members had been collecting funds domestically and from abroad through donations, particularly in the form of zakat, mowda and bait-ul-mal, as well as for purported charitable purposes, such as promotion of education and health. 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 JeI cadres, an NIA note said.

Further, as per the investigations, JeI was also engaged in motivating 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 JeI, 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, the NIA note also read.