The NIA action comes a day after it attached six immovable properties of a top militant, affiliated with the Jaish-e-Mohammed, in J&K. (Image for representation: News18)
The NIA said the four properties were found to be proceeds of terrorism and were used for conspiracy and carrying out terror attacks. They belonged to accused persons linked to Pakistan-based terrorists
In its crackdown on the terror network in the country, the NIA attached four more properties linked to terrorist organisation Hizb-ul-Mujahideen in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara region on Thursday. This comes a day after the anti-terror agency attached six immovable properties of a top militant in Kashmir affiliated with the banned terrorist outfit, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).
According to an NIA investigation, the four properties attached were found to be proceeds of terrorism. These were used for conspiracy and carrying out terror attacks, and belonged to accused persons, all linked to Pakistan-based handlers/operatives/commanders of the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen.
The NIA identified the accused as Mohammad Alam Bhat, Mohammad Yousuf Khawaja, Shabir Ahmed Gakhad and Zakir Hussain Mir. The probe revealed that these four men were involved in illegal supply of weapons, arms, ammunition and narcotics. They were also actively engaged in spreading and strengthening militancy in Kashmir.
The properties were attached under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. They include two immovable properties, including a house each belonging to Alam Bhat and Yousuf Khawaja in Karnah area of Kupwara. Two movable properties, Tata Sumo SUVs, have also been attached.
The NIA said the houses were used for storage and concealment of arms and ammunition, and also to harbour terrorists. The two vehicles were used as a safe mode of transporting arms and ammunition.
The NIA had registered a case in February 2019 against Hizb-ul-Mujahideen members for the supply of weapons, arms, ammunition and narcotics from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to India. The investigation in this case is ongoing.
JeM militant’s properties attached in Mirpora, Pulwama
On Wednesday (May 8), the NIA attached land parcels in Mirpora and Pulwama belonging to arrested militant Asif Ahmed Malik. The properties were attached under Section 33 (1) of the UAPA on the orders of the NIA special court in Jammu.
Malik was arrested on January 31, 2020, in a case related to transportation of terrorists, infiltration into Kashmir from across the border, and seizure of arms and explosives from terror operatives of JeM. The NIA charge-sheeted him on July 27, 2020, under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, Explosive Substances Act, UAPA and the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933. Malik is presently undergoing trial.
Investigations have exposed a conspiracy by the accused to transport the infiltrated terrorists to the Kashmir Valley and provide them safe shelter in preparation for attacks on the security forces/apparatus as part of the terror conspiracy against India, an NIA statement said.
Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) was formed by Maulana Masood Azhar in 2000 and is headquartered at Bahawalpur in Pakistan. Since its foundation, JeM has carried out several terrorist attacks in India, including in Jammu and Kashmir. JeM was listed as a ‘Designated Foreign Terrorist Organisation’ by the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSC) 1267, while Maulana Masood Azhar was designated a ‘Global Terrorist’ by the UNSC in 2019.
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