Militancy Funding Case: SIA raids multiple locations in Kashmir

Srinagar, Dec 3: The State Investigating Agency (SIA) on Saturday morning carried out raids at multiple locations across the Kashmir Valley in a case related to militancy funding.
An official said that raids were conducted at several locations including in Kupwara, Bandipora, Srinagar, Pattan, Budgam and other parts of the Valley.
Meanwhile, as per a statement, the SIA Kashmir conducted searches at multiple locations across Kashmir valley.
“House and premises of suspects in Kupwara, Baramulla, Bandipora, Srinagar and Budgam were searched in compliance to 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 u/s 13, 17, 18, 39, 40 UA (P) Act, 120-B IPC registered in Police Station CIK (SIA) Kashmir,” the statement said.
It added that the case pertains to members of militant organization (Al-Badar) 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 militant organization(s) in the valley are raising funds for furtherance of militant activities in UT of J&K.
“The money raised is passed on/transferred through financial markets or through unregulated channels/through cash couriers. In furtherance to this nexus, the network so created have successfully infringed upon various persons of varied background either with or without their knowledge to act as cash couriers,” the statement said.
As a part of this conspiracy, the militancy funding module has created many sleeper cells/OGW(s) in different parts of Kashmir valley who are facilitating passing on money to various militant organization (s) in UT of J&K, through banks/unregulated channels/ cash couriers.
“The money so received by militant organization (s) in UT of J&K is not only used for furthering of militant, unlawful and illegal activities but is also given to OGW(s) to motivate youth to join militant ranks and sustaining of militancy ecosystem with an ulterior goal of secession of the UT of J&K from Union of India.”
During the searches, a huge cash of Rs 29.00 lacs was recovered and seized alongwith 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 statement said.
It is pertinent to mention here that the searches are aimed at dismantling the militancy ecosystem in the valley by identifying over ground workers supporting and abetting militancy.