Kashmir : Counter Terror Operation Updates and Discussions

J&K terror funding case: NIA nails top separatist leaders | EXCLUSIVE

The matter pertains to 2017 where a case was filed against terrorists belonging to Jammat ud Dawah, Duktaran-e-Millat, Lashkar-e-Toiba, Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and other separatist leaders in the State of J&K for raising, receiving and collecting funds for funding separatist and terrorist activities in J&K.

by Kamaljit Kaur Sandhu
New Delhi, June 15, 2019
UPDATED: June 15, 2019 18:41 IST
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Yasin Malik, Asiya Andrabi and Shabir Shah

With top separatists in the net in Jammu and Kashmir terror funding case of 2017, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) claims to have clinching proof against four of the big leaders.

This is after the anti terror probe agency arrested Yasin Malik, leader of JKLF, Asiya Andrabi, Duktaran-e-Milat, Separatist leader Shabir Shah of JKDFP and Masrat Alam of Muslim League. All the four accused were taken into police custody for custodial interrogation few weeks ago.

The matter pertains to 2017 where a case was filed against terrorists belonging to Jammat ud Dawah, Duktaran-e-Millat, Lashkar-e-Toiba, Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and other separatist leaders in the State of J&K for raising, receiving and collecting funds for funding separatist and terrorist activities in Jammu & Kashmir and entering into a larger conspiracy for causing disruption in Kashmir valley and for waging war against India.

But it is only two years after the FIR, the crackdown against separatists happened in what is being seen as a "hard approach" of Modi government.

As per NIA sources, Yasin Malik admitted that he was instrumental in bringing together the disparate factions of Hurriyat conference and formed the Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL), which spear headed the violent agitations in 2016 in Kashmir Valley, by issuing "Protest Calendars" leading to economic shut down for over four months.

It also caused death and injuries to civilians and security forces during the violent protests.

Yasin Malik admitted that the JRL and Hurriyat Conference Gilani Group collected funds from business community as well as certain other sources and ensured that economic shut down and violent protests continue to disrupt the daily life of common citizens in the valley.

Meanwhile, female separartist leader Asiya Andrabi revealed to NIA that she had been collecting funds and donations from foreign sources and Duktaran-e-Milat had been organising protests by muslim women in the valley.

Asiya Andrabi was confronted with evidence regarding funding of educational expenses of her son in Malaysia from 2011 onwards through foreign remittances made by Zahoor Watali.

Zahoor is one of the main accused in terror funding case and an influential businessman of the valley.

India today has learnt that NIA has already approached the concerned authorities for providing evidence relating to certain bank accounts used by Mohammad bin Qasim(son of Asiya Andrabi) while he was studying in the university.

During the custodial interrogation, Shabir Shah was confronted with evidence relating to transfer of money by Pakistan based agents and representatives of APHC factions to parties affiliated to Hurriyat in J & K.

He was also confronted about his investments in various hotels and businesses in Pehalgam, properties in Jammu, Srinagar and Anantnag. Evidence regarding many of his benami properties is being collected.

He was confronted with some of his personal staff and associates who have provided vital information regarding the sources fund raising and investment details. Investigation into these aspects is underway.

But the latest arrest of Masarat Alam is being termed as big as NIA investigators believe that he is the so called poster boy of stone pelters and violent agitations in Kashmir valley.

He has revealed that Pakistan based agents route the funds through hawala operators which were transferred to the separatist leaders including Syed Shah Gilani Chairman APHC (G).

Masarat Alam also revealed that there are rifts in the Hurriyat conference regarding collection and use of funds.

Investigation revealed that Zahoor Ahamad Shah Watali is one of the main hawala conduit, who used to generate and receive funds from Pakistan, ISI, UAE, and had floated various shell companies to disguise foreign remittances for further transfer to separatist leaders and stone pelters in the valley.

These funds were used to fuel unrest in the Kashmir valley and organise violent agitations and anti-India activities, which resulted in large scale violence, leading to numerous injuries and deaths of civilians and security forces.

NIA for its investigation carried out nationwide searches at various locations across the States of J&K, Delhi and Haryana.

Crucial electronic and documentary evidences were recovered which point towards the pattern of raising, collection, transfer and use of funds for terrorist and separatist activities.

Significant evidence relating to funding of these separatist elements through Pakistan and UAE based businessman, ISI, High Commission of Pakistan in Delhi has been collected and presented to the NIA Special Court in the chargesheets.

NIA concluded that mastermind and kingpin of the crime Zahoor Watali had approached the trial court for grant of bail which was rejected by the NIA Special Court.

He approached the Delhi High Court, challenging the order and High Court granted him bail on September 13, 2018.

NIA filed an SLP in the Hon'ble Supreme Court challenging his bail order and the Division bench of Hon'ble Supreme Court cancelled the bail of Zahoor Watali.

Accepting the plea of NIA, Hon'ble Supreme Court observed that the High Court has not appreciated the material which found favour with the designated court to record its opinion that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the accusations are prima facie true.

It also noticed that the High court ought to have taken into account the totality of the materials/ evidences which depicted the involvement of the respondent in the commission of the stated offences, besides the offence under section 17 for raising funds for terrorist activities.

NIA has charge sheeted 13 accused including Hafiz Mohammad Saeed (leader of Jammat ud Dawah), Syed Salahuddin (head of proscribed organisation Hizb-ul-Mujahideen),7 separatist leaders, 2 hawala conduits and some stone pelters.

In what is being seen as a continued policy of zero tolerance to terror, the Modi 2.0 government will come down hard on anti India activity.

J&K terror funding case: NIA nails top separatist leaders | EXCLUSIVE
 
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MHA constitutes Terror Monitoring Group (TMG) to crackdown on terrorists financers in J&K


The Centre has constituted a new Terror Monitoring Group (TMG) in Jammu and Kashmir in a bid to dismantle terror-financing structure and crackdown terrorists financers in the valley.

Sources said the group will be headed by additional DGP, CID in Jammu and Kashmir, as its Chairman.

There will also be representatives from Intelligence Bureau (IB), National Investigation Agency (NIA), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the TMG.

According to highly-placed sources, TMG has initiated concerted action by all the agencies as part of efforts to strike at the financiers of Terror in the valley.

After assuming charge as Union Home Minister, Amit Shah has held back-to-back meetings with officials and others over internal security issues. He also had a meeting with Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik in which Malik briefed Shah about the prevailing situation in the state.

MHA constitutes TMG to crackdown on terrorists financers in valley
 
Pakistan’s ISI gets new control room in Nepal to carry out terror activities in Kashmir

Intelligence agencies have received information about terrorists meeting ISI operatives and commanders of terrorist groups in Nepal over the past few months.
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Representational Image

by Manish Shukla, Updated : Jun 18, 2019, 10:14 AM IST

With increased security by Indian forces along the border with Pakistan, it has become difficult for the neighbouring country to orchestrate terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir. Therefore, Pakistan’s ISI is now making attempts to organise terror activities in the state through Nepal.

According to an intelligence report, the agencies have received information about terrorists meeting ISI operatives and commanders of terrorist groups in Nepal over the past few months.

Sources have told Zee News that at least two terrorists from Jammu and Kashmir went to Nepal in March and April. The terrorists met some top commanders of terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen in a meeting organised by the ISI.

The terrorists from Jammu and Kashmir were introduced to three other terrorists of the Hizbul Mujahideen group. Following the meeting, all five terrorists were sent to Jammu and Kashmir to carry out anti-India terror activities.

Officials of intelligence agencies have said that though the terrorists are directed by the ISI to attack security forces, they now fear they are constantly being monitored by Indian forces and agencies. This fear has compelled the ISI to help the terrorists in the Valley via Nepal route. It is also suspected that the terrorists are also provided required funds during their visits to Nepal.

A senior Indian official told Zee News that steps have been taken to curb terror funding in Jammu and Kashmir and strict vigil has also been maintained along the Line of Control and the International Border. These developments made it difficult for the ISI to channelise the terrorists in the Valley and hence it took the Nepal route.

The authorities are trying to find as to how many terrorists went from Jammu and Kashmir to Nepal over the past few months.

In a report sent to the Union Home Ministry by the intelligence agencies recently, terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba was making attempts to create a base in Gorakhpur and Faizabad in Uttar Pradesh, targeting regions that are close to the Nepal border.

Lashkar operative Muhammad Umar Madni has been entrusted with the responsibility of expanding its network in the area. Madni was also sent to Kolkata in West Bengal and Darbhanga in Bihar on several occasions for the purpose.


Pakistan’s ISI gets new control room in Nepal to carry out terror activities in Kashmir
 
@BlackOpsIndia ghazis aaram farma rahe hain, tourist season khatam ho jai to wapis aaenge.

Infiltrations down to 0 in Kashmir in past 5 months

By Anuj Cariappa | Published: Tuesday, June 18, 2019, 6:26 [IST]

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Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik

New Delhi, June 18: Jammu and Kashmir governor Satya Pal Malik claimed that infiltration of terrorists into the Valley has stopped in the last five months, while incidents of stone pelting have also gone down in the period. Kashmir has been under the President's rule since June 20, 2018.

Stating that two to three terrorists are getting killed in the northern state every day, Malik said a message has been conveyed to the insurgents that they will not get anything by choosing the "wrong way".

"Entry of new terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir stopped since the last five months. Stone-pelting incidents have also gone down. Two to three terrorists are being killed every day now," Malik told reporters, speaking after the inauguration of J&K Bank branch here.

"Terrorists now know that if they choose a wrong way, they will not get anything. They will have to hold talks. We have succeeded in making people understand that the path of terrorism is wrong and that no one can break India. You have to adhere to the Constitution," he said.

Responding to a query on holding dialogue with the Hurriyat, he said it is up to the Centre to take a call on it.

Malik lauded the work done by the J&K Bank and said that the employees of the bank are not responsible for the ongoing problems, wherein the RBI has cited instances of misgovernance, leading to removal of the chairman Parvez Ahmed.

"Those politicians who have misused the bank should worry," he said. The Jammu and Kashmir government holds 59 per cent stake in the bank.

Bank Chairperson R K Chhibber, Executive President P K Tikku and senior officials were present at the event. Malik said there was no danger to tourists and pilgrims who visit Jammu and Kashmir. "Around 25,000 pilgrims are there in Gulmarg now," he said, adding that Kashmiris always extend help to tourists.

"Presently, all hotels in Gulmarg are fully occupied. No incident of stone-pelting was reported. Since I went to Kashmir as a governor, no entry of terrorists (in the state) has been reported," he said.

Appealing people to visit Kashmir, Malik said, "Our battle is against terrorism and terrorists and not with tourists."

"Come to Kashmir where locals will take care of you," he added.

Read more at: Infiltrations down to 0 in Kashmir in past 5 months
 
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