J&K Police busts terror financing module, arrests 10 associates

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Friday said it has arrested ten alleged terroorist associates who were part of suspected financial networks linked to terror activities and had connections with terrorists and their associates lodged in different jails.

The police in Shopian district of south Kashmir termed the arrests a "significant breakthrough", saying an "intra-UT terror financing module" had been busted following an investigation into suspicious online financial transactions carried out through various payment platforms. The accused, arrested in connection with a case registered at Shopian police station, have been identified as Owais Shafi, Tajamul Ahmad Shah, Moiz Iqbal and Imdad Yousuf Ganie from Shopian; Saqib Zahoor Wani, Aamir Ahmad Ganie, Firdous Thokar, Liyaqat Nazir and Kaju from Pulwama; and Muhammad Hanief from Kathua.

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The police said it analysed online transactions and traced money trails across multiple layers. "The investigation revealed a wider network of individuals allegedly involved in terror financing and having links with terrorists and their associates lodged in different jails," an official statement read. According to police officials, the preliminary investigation revealed that the accused were "clandestinely collecting and raising funds from the general public and channelising the money through established financial links to facilitate the terrorist activities of Lashkar-e-Taiba /The Resistance Front."

"The funds were also allegedly being utilised to provide logistical support, including smartphones, for furthering terrorist activities," the statement added.