NIA Makes First Arrest In NGO Terror-Funding Case In Kashmir

The anti-terror agency arrested Mehraj on Monday, ANI reported.

National Investigation Agency arrested journalist Irfan Mehraj from Srinagar in connection with the NGO Terror funding case

New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested journalist Irfan Mehraj in connection with the NGO Terror funding case from Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, an official said on Tuesday.

The anti-terror agency arrested Mehraj on Monday, ANI reported.

Soon after the arrest, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president and ex-chief minister Mehbooba Mufti tweeted, "While conmen are given a free run in Kashmir, journalists like Irfan Mehraj are arrested for doing their duty by speaking the truth. Draconian laws like UAPA are abused constantly to ensure that the process itself becomes the punishment."

“Following comprehensive investigations into the NGO Terror funding case registered in October 2020, the National Investigation Agency arrested Irfan Mehraj from Srinagar (J&K) yesterday (20.03.2023),” said an NIA spokesman, in a statement.

The agency said, "Irfan Mehraj was a close associate of Khurram Parvez and was working with his organisation, Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Societies (JKCCS). Investigation revealed that the JKCCS was funding terror activities in the valley and had also been in the propagation of a secessionist agenda in the Valley under the garb of protection of human rights."

According to the investigation agency, the involvement of some Valley-based NGOs, Trusts, and Societies in the funding of terror-related activities was being probed in this case.

"Some NGOs, both registered as well as non-registered, have come to notice collecting funds domestically and abroad under the cover of doing charity and various welfare activities, including Public Health and Education," the NIA stated.

"Some of these organisations have developed links with proscribed terrorist organizations, such as Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), Hizbul Mujahideen (HM)," the agency added.

Last week, NIA conducted raids at 15 locations in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab in connection with the terror conspiracy hatched by Pakistan-based proscribed organisations to radicalize youth of the Union Territory and target members of minority communities, security personnel and religious events and activities.

Sleuths from the National Investigation Agency raided 14 locations spread across six districts - Srinagar, Baramulla, Pulwama, Anantnag, Budgam and Kathua - in Jammu and Kashmir. One location in Punjab, Fatehgarh Sahib, was raided by the investigating agency.

(With inputs from ANI)