NIA carries out searches at 9 locations in J&K iover cross-LoC trade

New Delhi, Oct 4: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted searches at nine places in Jammu and Kashmir in its ongoing probe in connection with a large-scale transfer of funds from Pakistan to India along cross-Line of Control (LOC) trade routes.

 

 

The NIA with the assistance of Jammu and Kashmir Police, Central Reserve Police Force and Indo-Tibetan Border Police conducted the searches in the Poonch district on the premises of traders as part of investigations into large-scale transfer of money by Pakistan through cross-LoC trade to fund terror activities in Jammu and Kashmir. During the searches, the agency recovered documents, digital devices and other incriminating materials, said an official statement.

 

According to the reports, the searches were conducted at Poonch, Kunaiyan, Chandhak, Degwar and Chaktro areas. Considering violation of the policy of the prohibition of trade in 'third-party foreign goods' through this mechanism and that these funds were being used for fomenting terrorism and separatism in Jammu and Kashmir, the NIA registered the case under Section 17 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

 

LoC trade was started in the year 2008 as part of confidence-building measures between J&K and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The trade was based on a barter system and third-party goods were not allowed, it added.

 

 

The current case is related to the transfer of funds from Pakistan to India through the import of California Almonds (badam-giri) and other items via the Cross-LoC Trade Facilitation Centres (TFCs) at Uri’s Salamabad area in Baramulla district and Poonch district’s Chakkan-Da-Bag area. These funds were purportedly being used to foment terrorism/separatism in Jammu & Kashmir, the statement said.

 

Investigation revealed that some of the traders having excess imports diverted the surplus profits to terror organisations, while others were suspected to have links with proscribed terrorist organisations.

 

The Central government had received information that a large-scale transfer of funds from Pakistan to India through the import of California Almonds via the cross-LOC Trade Facilitation Centers (TFC) located at Salamabad, Uri and Chakkan-Da-Bagh. The LoC trade was started in 2008 as a part of a confidence-building measure between Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK). The trade was based on a barter system and third-party origin goods were not allowed.

 

 

The NIA in 2017 questioned several government employees posted at TFC in the Uri area however officials did not divulge details on whether the sleuths have been able to find anything incriminating. The agency believes that a percentage of profits in lieu of cross border trade is used to fund militancy in the valley. NIA investigation into the case revealed that some of the traders having excess imports were channelising the surplus profit generated to terror organizations while others are suspected to have links and connections with proscribed terrorist organizations.

 

It was the first time when the role of TFC employees came in terror funding case as these centres are government-built facilities that overlook trade logistics between two countries. The TFC's located at Salamabad, Uri and Chakkan-da-Bagh are among the facilities which have come under the NIA scanner.