The National Investigation Agency arrested Valley’s known businessman Zahoor Ahmad Watali on Thursday afternoon “in connection with funding of terrorist and separatist activities” in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Watali is being questioned by the NIA officials regarding the incriminating financial transaction details and property-related records seized during searches on Wednesday,” said an NIA spokesman.
He will be produced before the special NIA judge at Patiala House Courts on Friday.
NIA had conducted searches on Wednesday at multiple locations in Srinagar, Handwara, Kupwara and Baramulla belonging to the relatives and employees of Mr. Watali. “The searches have unearthed highly incriminating material pertaining to receipt of funds by Watali from foreign sources and its further distribution to terrorists and separatists in Kashmir valley for anti-India activities,” said the NIA spokesman.
Mr. Watali’s house in Srinagar was first searched on June 3. According to the NIA, he is suspected “of acting as a conduit for illegally remitting funds to the secessionists, terrorists and stone-throwers.”
“He was earlier arrested in 1990 when anti-national activists were found to be present in his house at Bagat Barzulla, Srinagar. He was taken into custody along with Yaseen Malik, Sajjad Gani Lone, Bilal Lone and others,” it said.
