National Investigation Agency raided five locations linked to Jamaat-e-Islami in J&K’s Bandipora

Continuing its crackdown on terror funding in Jammu and Kashmir, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted raids at five locations in Bandipora linked to the banned outfit Jamaat-e-Islami.

On Sunday, the NIA conducted raids at 56 locations in 14 districts of J&K which were believed to be offices and residences of Jamaat-e-Islami members.

The NIA claims that Jamaat-e-Islami, an outfit that was banned by the central government in 2019 due to its pro-Pakistan and pro-separatist leanings, was funding terror outfits such as Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Hizbul Mujahideen in J&K.

The NIA said it has much evidence of funding received by Jamaat members from Dubai and Turkey for terror activities with the help of Pakistan’s secret intelligence service ISI. The money was being routed in the name of charity, health and education, sources said.

Sources said Jamaat-e-Islami wanted to increase terrorist and stone-pelting activities in the Valley, which have declined after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. The banned outfit also conducted a secret meeting to induct fresh members to terror outfits, sources said.

PDP chief and former chief minister of J&K Mehbooba Mufti called the NIA raids at Jamaat offices “oppressive measures” taken by the government. NIA raids on Jamaat is emblematic of GOI waging a war against its so called ‘integral part’. Instead of fighting an ideology with a better idea it is crushing contrarian thought with an iron fist,” Mehbooba Mufti tweeted.

“Such oppressive measures may seem to work temporarily but in the long run it will prove to be counter productive. The gulf between J&K and rest of the country widens with every passing day. It is a self goal,” she added.

NIA raids on Jamaat is emblematic of GOI waging a war against its so called ‘integral part’. Instead of fighting an ideology with a better idea it is crushing contrarian thought with an iron fist.

Source: India Today