Hizbul Mujahideen chief's son arrested: NIA

NEW DELHI/SRINAGAR: The National Investigation Agency has arrested Syed Shahid Yousuf, son of globally-wanted terrorist Syed Salahuddin, for allegedly receiving money from his father for funding terror.

An NIA spokesman said in New Delhi on Tuesday that 42-year old Shahid, an employee of J&K’s agricultural department, was summoned to the agency’s headquarters in connection with a 2011 case, following which he was arrested.

He will be produced before a designated NIA court on Wednesday.


NIA alleged Shahid received funds from Saudi Arabia-based Aijaz Ahmed Bhat, another accused in the case and absconding, through a US-based international wire transfer company.

The agency alleged Shahid was “one of several Indian contacts of Bhat” who had been in telephonic contact with him for receiving money transfer codes.

The NIA claimed so far he had received nearly Rs 4.5 lakh through eight wire transfers. NIA had registered the case in April 2011 on transfer of money from Pakistan to Jammu and Kashmir through hawala channels in Delhi.

NIA believes the money has been used to fund terrorism and secessionist activities. Two chargesheets have been filed against six people, including GM Bhat, an aide of separatist Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mohammed Siddiq Ganai, Ghulam Jeelani Liloo and Farooq Ahmed Dagga. All four are in judicial custody.

Mohammed Maqbool Pandit and Aijaz Bhat charge sheeted by NIA are absconding and have Interpol Red Corner notice against them. Shahid’s father, Mohammed Yusuf Shah, known as Syed Salahuddin, was declared a Specially Designated Global Terrorist by the US Department of State in June this year. Besides heading terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen, he is the chairman of the Muzaffarabad-based United Jehad Council, a conglomerate of terrorist outfits in Kashmir Valley.

With PTI inputs