Srinagar: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) Thursday arrested Syed Shakeel Yousuf, son of globally wanted terrorist Syed Salahuddin, in connection with a 2011 terror funding case for allegedly receiving money from his father.
An NIA spokesman said in Delhi that Shakeel, at present working as a laboratory assistant at a prestigious government hospital, was picked up from Rambagh locality of Srinagar and placed under arrest.
The spokesman said, “In an operation [Thursday] morning, NIA team along with the police and CRPF arrested Shakeel in a terror funding case”.
He is the second son of Salahuddin, who has been arrested by the NIA in connection with the case. In June, another son of Salahuddin, Shahid, who was working in the agricultural department of the Jammu and Kashmir government, was arrested in the same case.
The NIA alleged Shakeel used to receive funds through a US-based international wire transfer company from Aijaz Ahmed Bhat, another accused in the case who is absconding and based in Saudi Arabia
The agency alleged Shakeel was “one of several Indian contacts of Bhat” who had been in telephonic contact with him for receiving money transfer codes.
The case, registered by the NIA in April 2011, relates to transfer of money from Pakistan to Jammu and Kashmir through hawala channels via Delhi, which the agency believed was used in funding terrorism and secessionist activities.
The NIA has so far filed two charge sheets against six people, including GM Bhat, a close aide of pro-Pakistan separatist Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mohammed Siddiq Ganai, Ghulam Jeelani Liloo and Farooq Ahmed Dagga. All four are in judicial custody
Two others — Mohammed Maqbool Pandit and Bhat — were also charge-sheeted by the NIA but are absconding. An Interpol Red Corner notice has been issued against them.
Two militants gunned down; search continues
Srinagar: Security forces Thursday gunned down two terrorists in a joint operation in Jammu and Kashmir’s Bandipora, police said. Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Hajin area following a tip-off, police said. Army, CRPF and local police joined forces. “Two terrorists have been killed and a search is under way. Arms and ammunition have been recovered,” SP Pani, IGP Kashmir, said. He said the search operation turned into an encounter after terrorists opened fire at security forces positions.
