NIA Conducts Searches At Multiple Locations Across J&K In Jamaat-e-Islami Terror Funding Case

Last year on May 12, the NIA filed a chargesheet in the case in a Special Court in New Delhi against four accused.

Security personnel stand guard outside a property during a raid by officials of the NIA in a terror funding case in Baramulla district on May 11

New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday continued search operations in Jammu and Kashmir in connection with its investigation into a case of terror funding by Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir-- an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, as reported by the news agency ANI. 

The NIA on May 11 conducted searches in the Budgam and Baramulla districts of Jammu and Kashmir.

Earlier on May 4, the anti-terror agency carried out searches at the premises of Jamaat-e-Islami members and supporters at 16 locations, including 11 in District Baramulla in Kashmir valley and the remaining five located in District Kishtwar in Jammu region, reported ANI. In the search operation, several incriminating materials and digital devices were seized by the NIA, as reported by ANI.

Jamaat-e-Islami has been found carrying out terror funding activities in Jammu and Kashmir, even after being declared an unlawful association under the UA(P) Act on February 28, 2019.

Last year on May 12, the NIA filed a chargesheet in the case in a Special Court in New Delhi against four accused. It had earlier registered a suo motu case in the matter on February 5, 2021.

NIA investigations so far have revealed that Jamaat-e-Islami (J&K) members had been collecting funds domestically and from abroad through donations as well as for purported charitable purposes, such as the 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 Jamaat-e-Islami cadres," said the NIA.

Further, as per the investigations, Jamaat-e-Islami was also engaged in motivating the 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 Jamaat-e-Islami (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.