NIA resumes questioning of separatist leaders on Pak funding

Srinagar: An NIA team, which reached here on Saturday to probe into the alleged funding by Pakistan for illegal activities in Kashmir, on Sunday resumed their interrogation of separatists leaders.

The sleuths from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) further questioned separatist leaders Farooq Ahmed Dar alias Bitta Karate and Gazi Javed Baba in the case, a news agency reported.

The NIA had on Saturday began its probe into allegations of funding by Pakistan to separatists in Kashmir, a long-held assertion by Indian intelligence now ‘confessed' by a Hurriyat leader in a sting.

The sleuths from the NIA quizzed Hurriyat leaders for alleged “subversive acts in Kashmir with funds from Pakistan-based LeT terror group,” PTI reported.

Those who were being questioned include Farooq Ahmed Dar, alias Bitta Karate, and Gazi Javed Baba.

Saturday's development comes after the Hurriyat Conference suspended Naeem Khan from the organisation after he allegedly confessed to receiving money from Pakistan and LeT for Kashmir unrest.

Khan was allegedly heard admitting in a TV sting operation that he had received money from Pakistan to create unrest in the Valley.

He, however, claimed that the sting operation was fake and doctored.

After the video surfaced, the NIA registered a preliminary probe against Khan, Tehreek-e-Hurriyat leader Gazi Javed Baba and Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (R) chairman Farooq Ahmed Dar.

Khan alleged the government is using the media to suppress his voice and said he is ready to face the probe.