Synopsis
On February 5, the SIA carried out raids at two locations in Budgam district, Jammu and Kashmir, as part of an investigation into a terror funding case. The sites included a car dealer's and a businessman's properties, reflecting ongoing efforts to counter terrorism financing in the region.Key Takeaways
- SIA conducted raids in Budgam district.
- Investigation linked to terror funding.
- Locations included a car dealer and a businessman.
- SIA investigates hawala dealings and financial support for terrorists.
- Mian Qayoom implicated in previous murder case.
Srinagar, Feb 5 (NationPress) The State Investigation Agency (SIA) of Jammu and Kashmir executed searches at two sites in the Budgam district on Wednesday as part of an investigation into terror funding, according to officials.
"The SIA executed raids at two locations in Budgam district today. One site belongs to a car dealer, while the other is associated with a businessman," an official disclosed.
Sources indicate that these operations are part of a broader inquiry into a terror funding case.
The SIA operates as a division of the local CID, focusing on investigations related to terrorism. The agency is scrutinizing hawala transactions, financial support for terrorists, and their associated networks.
Previously, the SIA has conducted investigations and filed charge sheets in designated courts against individuals engaged in facilitating communications for terrorists.
In connection with the murder of advocate Babar Qadri, who was killed by terrorists in his home in the Hawal area of Srinagar on September 2, 2020, a reward of Rs 10 lakh was announced by the SIA in 2023 for information leading to the identification of Qadri's killers.
In 2021, the J&K Police indicated that Saqib Manzoor, a commander of Lashkar-e-Taiba, was implicated in Qadri's murder. Manzoor was killed in an encounter in Srinagar alongside another militant.
Following this, in 2022, the police raided the residences of three lawyers, including Mian Qayoom in Srinagar's Barzulla area, as part of the investigation. The authorities also focused on five local individuals, including two jail inmates.
Prior to his assassination, Qadri had accused the then President of the High Court Bar Association (Kashmir), Mian Qayoom, of conspiring for his murder. The 80-year-old Qayoom was arrested by a special investigation team (SIT) formed by the SIA, which claimed to possess documentary and technical evidence linking him to Qadri's murder. A charge sheet submitted to the court identified Mian Qayoom as the primary conspirator in the case.
