NIA attaches properties of JeM operative in Kashmir

Srinagar, May 8: In a major crackdown in the Kashmir terrorist infiltration case, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday attached six immovable properties of top terrorists of the banned Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist outfit in J&K.

The properties (land parcels) belonging to terrorist Asif Ahmed Malik are located in Mirpora, Pulwama. They have been attached under Section 33 (1) of UA (P) Act, 1967, on the orders of NIA Special Court, Jammu.

Asif Ahmed Malik was arrested on 31st January 2020, and arms, ammunition and explosives were recovered from his possession. NIA had chargesheeted him on 27th July 2020 under various sections of IPC, Explosive Substances Act, UA(P) Act and the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933. He is currently undergoing trial before the NIA Special Court, Jammu, in the case RC-02/2020/NIA/JMU.

The case relates to transportation of terrorists, infiltration into Kashmir from across the border, and seizure of arms, explosives etc from terror operatives of JeM.

NIA investigations have exposed a conspiracy by the accused to transport the infiltrated terrorists to the Kashmir valley, and provide them safe shelter in preparation of attacks on the security forces as part of the terror conspiracy against the Govt of India.

Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), which means “The Army of Muhammad”, is a terrorist group formed by Maulana Masood Azhar in 2000 and headquartered at Bahawalpur, Pakistan. Since its foundation, JeM has carried out several terrorist attacks in India, including the UT of J&K.

JeM was listed as a “designated foreign terrorist organisation” by the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSC) 1267, and Maulana Masood Azhar was designated a “global terrorist” by UNSC in 2019.

Till now NIA has attached 109 properties in Jammu and Kashmir under the provisions of UA(P) Act.