New Delhi: A special court in Jammu has declared Pakistan-based Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Mushtaq Ahmad Mir a proclaimed offender in a terror funding case involving the alleged channelling of money to the banned Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir through the Al-Huda Educational Trust.
Mir, originally from Thanamang village in Rajouri district’s Darhal area, reportedly crossed the Line of Control in 1995 and 1996 to join terrorist groups. He is currently believed to be operating from Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
The order was passed by Special Judge Prem Sagar of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) court after the agency sought action under Section 84 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
The court noted that non-bailable warrants had been issued against Mir and notices had been published in newspapers, but he neither surrendered nor appeared before it. With no immediate possibility of his arrest, the court declared him a proclaimed offender.
What Is the Al-Huda Educational Trust Case?
The NIA registered the case on September 3, 2022, to investigate the activities and alleged financial links of the Al-Huda Educational Trust, based in Rajouri. The investigation followed the declaration of Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir as an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in February 2019.
According to the investigation, Jamaat-e-Islami allegedly continued its activities through front organisations, including the educational trust, which investigators suspect was used to mobilise funds for its secessionist agenda.
The NIA’s chargesheet named four accused. Investigators alleged that one of them, Shamsi, who was responsible for the trust’s day to day operations, collected money through educational and religious donations as well as hawala channels linked to Pakistan.
Mir allegedly transferred funds to Shamsi through hawala networks. The prosecution claims the money was subsequently used to organise propaganda meetings intended to encourage young people to support secessionist and terrorist activities.
The investigation is focused on establishing the alleged financial network and the roles played by those accused of facilitating the movement of funds.
The court’s order marks a further development in the ongoing probe into suspected terror financing in Jammu and Kashmir.
