Terror funding: NIA arrests two in Kashmir

SRINAGAR: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday said it has arrested two persons involved in funding terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir through funds generated by cross-border trade between J&K and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
The case pertains to the generation of additional profits through the cross-LoC trade mechanism between J&K and PoK and using the proceeds of the sale to foment terrorist activities in the Union Territory, the agency said in a statement.
The accused are Tanveer Ahmad Wani from Pulwama and Peer Arshad Iqbal from Baramulla. “They are cross-border traders and were handling several cross-LoC trade firms registered in their own names or in the names of their family members, relatives, friends and acquaintances, etc.,” the NIA said, adding that the accused used to provide funds to members of several terrorist organisations, overground workers, and stone pelters.
“The said trade began in 2008 via two Trade Facilitation Centres located at Salamabad, Uri in Baramulla district, and Chakan Da Bagh in Poonch district. As per SOP of the trade mechanism, 21 articles were allowed to be traded between PoK and J&K via barter system,” read the statement. During the investigation, it came to the fore that extra profit was generated by over-invoicing of export articles and under-invoicing of import articles by the traders.
Further investigation is underway.