Srinagar, 13 December (KNB): The State Investigation Agency (SIA) Kashmir conducted searches at five locations in South Kashmir, three in Anantnag and two in Kulgam districts. This operation is part of an ongoing investigation into a millitant funding case registered under FIR 311/2023 of PS Anantnag on November 19, 2023.
According to the statement issued to news agency Kashmir News Bureau-KNB, the case involves Zaffar Hussain Bhat, also known as Khursheed Kashmiri, a close associate of Ghulam Nabi Khan, Deputy Chief of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM). Both are designated as individual terrorists under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UA(P)A), declared Proclaimed Offenders and have Interpol Red Notices issued against them in various terror funding cases including the well-known Jammu Kashmir Affectees Relief Trust (JKART) case.
Statement further said, Khursheed Kashmiri is also wanted in connection with the Sanjay Sharma murder case, with allegations of his involvement in procuring and delivering weapons of offense and other arms and ammunition consignments in Jammu and Kashmir.
The terror-funding plan orchestrated by Hizbul Mujahideen with the involvement of key figures like Mohd Yusuf Shah (Syed Salahudeen) Chief of HM and handlers of proscribed millitant organizations like ‘Hizbul-Mujahideen and Lashkar-E-Taiba, aimed at systematically financing active and arrested millitants, their families and associates. This funding set at INR 15,000 per member is intended to sustain militancy in the region. Statement added
SIA further said that Zaffar Hussain Bhat along with his associates spread across Kashmir has been implicated in raising, collecting, transporting, distributing and delivering terror funds to further unlawful,subversive and secessionist activities. Their objectives include disturbing communal harmony, spreading disaffection towards India, and challenging the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country by waging war against India.
Crucial digital and documentary evidence, including cell phones, pen drives, SIM cards, data cards, bank documents, passports etc. relevant to the ongoing investigation were seized during today’s searches.
Additionally, on November 19, 2023 another close associate of Khursheed Kashmiri, Majid Aziz Lawey was arrested with terror funds amounting to INR 5 lakhs in connection with this case. SIA added -KNB