NIA quizzes trader body head, student from Kashmir

NEW DELHI: NIA on Monday examined the head of a traders’ body and a Kashmir University PhD student in connection with a case related to the funding of terror activities in Kashmir, officials said.

Yasin Khan of Kashmir Traders and Marketing Federation, and PhD scholar Aala Fazil have been examined here, a National Investigation Agency (NIA) spokesman said. They were summoned by the probe agency to appear before it on Monday. The duo were questioned about alleged funding to various groups that pelted stones at security forces, he said.

NIA had registered a case on May 30 against separatist and secessionist leaders, including unidentified members of the Hurriyat Conference, who have been acting in connivance with active militants of proscribed terrorist organisations Hizbul Mujahideen, Dukhtaran-e-Millat, Lashkar- e-Taiba and other outfits and gangs.

The case was registered for raising, receiving and collecting funds through various illegal means, including hawala, for funding separatist and terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir and for causing disruption in the Valley by pelting the security forces with stones, burning schools, damaging public property and waging war against India, the NIA said in the FIR.