NIA continues searches in cross–LOC trade terror funding

Photo/Mohammad Amin War


The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday continued raids and searches at the premises of those suspectedly involved in terror funding  through cross-LOC trade in Jammu and Kashmir.

The NIA had conducted searches at four locations on Wednesday.
The search operations were carried out at the homes of cross-LoC traders and their associates who are suspected of funding terror with the money generated through import of goods from Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).

The cross-LOC trade began in 2008 at two trade facilitation centres in Salamabad (Uri in Baramulla district) and Chakan-da-Bagh (Poonch district of Jammu). The trade, however, has been suspended since April 2019 when consignments of narcotics and arms and ammunition were seized from Pakistani trucks.

The NIA registered the case suo moto on 16 December 2016, and investigation is still underway. These raids are part of the ongoing investigation in the terror funding case being probed by the NIA.

The NIA on Wednesday carried out raids at three locations in Baramulla district and one place in Handwara.

These raids started early morning and the residence of Zahoor Ahmad Malla, presently lodged in Udhampur jail, was also searched in Baramulla.
Digital devices and incriminating documents were seized during the raids, said NIA sources.

NIA said that the case pertains to generation of additional profits through cross-LOC trade mechanism between J&K and PoJK and using funds so generated for fomenting terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir.