Pakistani funding: NIA launches probe against Kashmiri separatist leaders
The National Investigation Agency has launched a probe against several hardline separatist leaders who allegedly receive funds from Pakistan-based terror outfits, including Lashkar -e-Taiba (LeT). Those being investigated include Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Naeem Khan (Hurriyat), Farooq Ahmed Dar (JKLF), Gazi Javed Baba (Tehreek-e-Hurriyat) and more. Meanwhile, the suspected donors' list includes LeT chief Hafiz Saeed and other "Pakistani agencies", hinting at ISI.
How does Pakistani funding work?
According to officials, funding from Pakistan to Kashmir comes via other places, including the gulf countries. Separatist leaders then distribute the money among youths for creating unrest: stone-pelting, damaging government buildings and more. Stone-pelters are allegedly paid Rs. 500-1,000 everyday for disrupting peace. Separatists are suspected to have spent hundreds of crores in just the last year to keep the unrest going.
Status of NIA investigation
An NIA team has already reached the Valley to investigate, and Geelani and other Hurriyat leaders have been questioned. Suspects' financial transactions will be analyzed. A TV sting that showed some leaders bragging about Pakistani funding has also been taken into account.
Since 1990, almost 14,000 civilians killed in militancy in J&K
According to the Intelligence Bureau, about 250 terrorists, most of them local youths, are currently active in Jammu and Kashmir. Many have joined Hizbul Mujahideen in the last year. Last year, 150 terrorists were neutralized. There were 364 cross-border infiltration attempts in 2016. Since 1990, 13,936 civilians and 5053 security personnel have been killed till December'16 in militancy.
