J&K unrest funding: NIA finds 3 more accounts

Srinagar, Aug 30: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) probing the flow of money into Jammu and Kashmir to fuel the unrest is currently scrutinising 25 bank accounts. It has been found that a large chunk of money had come in from Pakistan and sympathisers of terror from other parts of the world too.

A portion of the Rs 38 crore which was pumped into the Valley was routed to the terrorist outfit Hizbul Mujahideen as well. However, a major chunk of the money was given to close aides of the Kashmiri separatists who used the same to fuel the unrest at the behest of Pakistan, investigating officials confirmed.

The NIA has also questioned Mohammad Ashraf Sherale, a separatist who allegedly received money. It is alleged that he had used the money to pay the stone pelters.

The NIA will also examine the son of separatist Syed Ali Shah Geelani on Tuesday. Geelani's son Naeem has been summoned by the NIA for questioning, a move that has invited condemnation from the Hurriyat Conference.

NIA officials say that as per their preliminary findings, most of the money was routed into accounts which were being controlled by the separatists. The brief that was given to the separatists was to use as much money as possible and keep the unrest alive for as long as possible.

It may be recalled that Geelani's aide, Ghulam Bhat had been arrested in 2011 for an alleged hawala deal involving Rs 21 lakh. Bhat had been arrested in 2008 as well while was he found to be in possession of Rs 55 lakh. He had concealed the money in a gas cylinder.

OneIndia News