Srinagar: The State Investigation Agency (SIA) on Saturday said Rs 29 lakh in cash were recovered during raids at multiple locations in Kashmir in connection with an alleged “terrorism funding” case.
“Continuing to rein in the networks of (terrorist) outfits with a purpose of destroying its ecosystems completely, State Investigation Agency, Kashmir conducted searches at multiple locations across Kashmir valley,” SIA said in a statement.
It said houses and premises of suspects in Kupwara, Baramulla, Bandipora, Srinagar and Budgam were searched in compliance with a search warrant obtained from the Court of Special Judge, designated under NIA Act (TADA/POTA) Srinagar in connection with investigation of case (FIR No. 20/2022) under sections s 13, 17, 18, 39, 40 UA (P) Act, 120-B IPC registered in Police Station CIK (SIA) Kashmir.
“The case pertains to members of proscribed (terrorist) organization (Al-Badr) based in Pakistan who with active support and connivance of Pakistani agencies hostile to India, under a well-knit criminal conspiracy with some identified person(s)/OGW(s) of proscribed (terrorist) organization(s) in the valley are raising funds for furtherance of (terrorist) activities in J&K.”
The SIA said that the money so raised is passed on or transferred through “financial markets or through unregulated channels/through cash couriers.”
In furtherance to this nexus, the SIA said, the network so created have successfully infringed upon various persons of varied backgrounds, either with or without their knowledge, to act as cash carriers.
“As a part of this conspiracy, (terrorism) funding module has created many sleeper cells/OGW(s) in different parts of Kashmir valley, who are facilitating passing on money to various (terrorist) organization(s) in J&K, through banks/unregulated channels/cash couriers,” the statement said.
The money so received by “terrorist organization(s)” in J&K, the SIA said, “is not only used for furthering of terrorism, unlawful or illegal activities but is also given to OGW(s) to motivate youth to join terrorist ranks and sustaining of terrorism ecosystem with an ulterior goal of secession of the J&K from Union of India.”
During the searches, the SIA said, huge cash of Rs 29 lakh was recovered and seized along with passbooks, cheque books and digital devices like mobile phones and other articles having bearing on the investigation.
“Analysis of the data would follow and leads that would emerge would become the basis for further investigation,” the SIA said, adding, “It is pertinent to mention here that the searches are aimed at dismantling the (terrorism) ecosystem in the valley by identifying over ground workers supporting and abetting (terrorism),” the statement said.
