Hizbul chief Syed Salahuddin’s son Shakeel arrested in Srinagar
30 Aug 2018
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The National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is probing the alleged foreign funding of terrorists and separatists in Jammu and Kashmir, has arrested Syed Shakeel Yousuf, son of Syed Salahuddin, chief of terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen, from Srinagar.
Salahuddin's son Shakeel was arrested by the NIA officials from his Rambagh residence this morning, according to ANI.
Shakeel, the second son of the Salahuddin, has been working as a senior lab technician in SKIMS Soura.
Shakeel was arrested for his role in transferring money from Pakistan to J&K, which NIA believes was used in funding terror activities.
According to the NIA, 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 said Shakeel was "one of several Indian contacts of Bhat" who had been in telephonic contact with him for receiving money transfer codes.
The NIA had, earlier in June this year, arrested Salahuddin’s another son, Shahid, who was working in the agricultural department of the Jammu and Kashmir government, in the same case.
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 G M 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 charged by the NIA but are on the run. An Interpol Red Corner notice has been issued against them.
Shakeel's father Mohammed Yusuf Shah — better known as Syed Salahuddin — was declared a Specially Designated Global Terrorist by the US Department of State.
Besides heading terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen, he is the chairman of the United Jehad Council (UJC), a conglomerate of terrorist outfits operating in the Kashmir Valley.
Authorities in Srinagar, meanwhile, imposed restrictions to prevent protests called by separatists in support of Article 35A.
"Restrictions have been imposed in areas under the jurisdiction of Nowhatta, Khanyar, Rainawari, MR Gunj and Safa Kadal police stations while partial restrictions will remain in force in areas under Kralkhud and Maisuma police stations on Thursday and Friday.
"The restrictions are purely preventive in nature and have been imposed to maintain law and order," the J&K Police said in a statement.
Separatists, including Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik, have formed a Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) to call for a complete shutdown on 30 and 31 August for protection of article 35A.
The article has been challenged through a bunch of petitions in the Supreme Court. The case is coming up for hearing on Friday before a three-judge bench of the apex court.
Rail services between Baramulla and Bannihal towns have also been suspended for two days.
The University of Kashmir has also rescheduled all entrance exams being held on Thursday and Friday for admission to various post-graduate courses.
Police and paramilitary forces have been deployed in huge numbers in areas placed under restrictions and also at other vulnerable places in Srinagar and other parts of the Valley.
