In a joint operation, Kupwara Police along with Army’s 21 RR and 47 RR busted a deep-rooted Terror Funding and Recruitment module running in North Kashmir which is a major success against the perpetrators of terrorism in Kashmir.
Based on the multiple inputs regarding an individual namely Bilal Ahmed Dar who hail from the Cheerkote area of the Kupwara district was nabbed. A joint operation was launched by the Army and Kupwara police to nab the individual from the general area of Nutnussa and Lolab localities of Kupwara.
During interrogation, Bilal revealed that he along with five other people from different parts of North Kashmir was running a terror funding racket. Under the garb of a fake NGO called “Islahi Falahi Relief Trust” (IFRT) the racket was running which claimed to provide monetary assistance to poor and needy families.
Meanwhile, in coordinating the funding for terror activities and aiding recruitment by organizing “Ijtema” meetings in different villages Bilal was actively involved. Bilal along with other members of the NGO would try and lure young people into Anti-National activities.
However, Bilal also revealed the names of other accomplices including ‘Wahid Ahmed Bhatt’ from Kachloo, Langet, Javed Ahmed Najar from Singhpora, Baramulla, and three individuals namely Mushtaq Ahmed Najar of Brath Sopore and Bashir Ahmed Mir from Mundji area of Sopore.
Moreover, another individual namely ‘Zubair Ahmed Dar’ from Cheerkote, who is Bilal’s cousin, was also actively involved in the module.
The module was being coordinated by Pakistan-based handlers to aid the operations of “Tehreek-e-ul Mujahideen Jammu & Kashmir” (TuMJK) in North Kashmir.
The modus operandi of the group was to go to different villages and conduct events and gatherings under the garb of the NGO and would collect money by asking for charity and also scout for potential soft targets as recruits.
The accounts in the NGO’s name were being used to launder money for the TuMJK. During the visit of the Union Home Minister and 15 August, the group was also responsible for sticking Anti-national posters.
Furthermore, Bilal specifically also admitted to hoisting a Pakistani flag inside Markazi Jamia Masjid Kupwara on the 14th of August on the instructions of his Pakistani handlers. The group was also actively collecting Explosive materials which are known to be used in IEDs.
The instructions were received by Bilal and his associates from across the border from Dr. Shah Sab, Manzoor Shah, Gen Abdullah named Ghulam Rasool Shah of Hyhama Kupwara, who is a Pakistan-based terrorist handler, Tariq Peer named Mohd Sultan Peer of Sulkoot Kupwara also a Pakistan based terrorist handler, Yousaf Baloch, Osama Qureshi, one Hamza, and Mishtaq. Wahid Ahmed Bhatt- Tauheed’ was the mastermind behind the recruitment and terror funding module.
Henceforth, from all the apprehended individuals a huge quantity of arms, ammunition, the raw material to prepare IEDs, and incriminating material has also been recovered. Five pistols, Ten Magazines, 49 pistol ammunition, Two grenades, and one IED.
However, an FIR has been registered under sections 7/25 Arms Act, 13,18,20,38 UA(P) Act in the Kupwara police station against all individuals.