Cross LoC illegal transactions: NIA carries out fresh raids in Pulwama, Srinagar | KNO

Kashmir News Observer (KNO)

Srinagar, July 23 (KNO) : The NIA on Tuesday carried out searches at six locations in Pulwama and Srinagar against some businessmen in connection with the cross-LoC trade, which is allegedly used by terror groups to send money for spreading trouble in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. In Srinagar, sources told KNO that NIA team raided in the house of loc trader Rafiq zarger R/o Sonerkoul safakadal and seized some documents, laptop and mobile phone from his possession.. National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday carried raids at several locations in Srinagar and searched houses of businessmen dealing with cross-LoC trade. The NIA sleuths also carried out raids at the at the residence of Fayaz Ahmad Matta, Javaid Ahmad Matta residents of Nundreshi Colony Batamaloo Srinagar, Rafiq Ahmad Zargar resident of Sonarkul area of Safakadal. All are business men who were dealing with cross-LoC trade which stands stalled post Pulwama attack which took place on February 14, this year, source told KNO. Official sources told KNO that NIA also carried raids at Parimpora Fruit Mandi here in Srinagar. Earlier NIA carried raids in parts of Kashmir in connection with the funding case registered at the behest of Government of India. Among those raided were Tanveer Wani, president of cross-Line of Control (LoC) traders' association at Pulwama in south Kashmir, they said. Teams of the National Investigation Agency, along with state police and paramilitary forces, swooped on the locations this morning to gather evidence, the officials said. The NIA had earlier said in a statement that reliable information was received that a large scale transfer of funds from Pakistan to India has been taking place through the import of California almonds via the cross-LoC trade mechanism. "This is in gross violation of the state policy of prohibition on trade in 'third-party origin goods' through this mechanism and information indicated that these funds are being used for fomenting terrorism and separatism in the state of Jammu and Kashmir," the agency had said. Meanwhile, NIA spokesman in a statement issued to KNO said that the agency carried out searches at six locations in connection with the ongoing investigation in the cross LoC trade case.  “Searches were conducted at Pulwama and also in Srinagar.  In Pulwama the searches were conducted in Achgoza at the premises of Tanveer Ahmad Wani, who is the President of Cross LOC Traders Association.  Searches were also conducted in the Safakadal, Baimina and Parimpora fruit markets in Srinagar,” the statement said. “NIA teams were accompanied and supported by the teams of CRPF and Jammu & Kashmir Police.” The statement said that during the searches, NIA teams recovered incriminating documents including photographs and documents relating to cross LoC trade.  “Besides, electronic devices and other material have also been seized,” the statement said. “The connected persons in the case are being questioned,” he said. (KNO)