Hizb-ul-Mujahideen chief and ‘global terrorist’ Syed Salahuddin's eldest son Shakeel Yousuf was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday in connection with a 2011 case pertaining to terror funding.
An NIA spokesperson said the arrest was made at Srinagar’s Rambagh area in a joint operation with the Central Reserve Police Force and the local police.
The NIA had questioned Yusuf on several occasions in the past one year but he didn’t show up for questioning after June 30 even after fresh summons.
Shakeel works as a medical assistant at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences in Srinagar. He appeared before the NIA when it issued summons in March.
Probe gains momentum after Ramzan month
The investigation in the 2011 case involving Hurriyat leaders has picked up after it was briefly suspended when the Centre announced the suspension of operations (SoO) in the month of Ramzan.
Shakeel was allegedly involved in transfer of money from Pakistan to Jammu and Kashmir through hawala channels via Delhi. The money, the NIA believed, was used for funding terrorism and secessionist activities.
In November 2017, the NIA arrested Salahuddin's another son, Syed Shahid Yousuf. He was working in the agricultural department of the State government and is presently in the Tihar jail.
The NIA alleged that Shahid used to receive funds through a U.S.-based international wire transfer company from Aijaz Ahmed Bhat, another accused in the case who is absconding and based in Saudi Arabia.
Three charge sheets against seven people
The NIA has so far filed three charge sheets against seven people, including G.M. Bhat, a close aide of pro-Pakistan separatist Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mohammed Siddiq Ganai, Ghulam Jeelani Liloo, Farooq Ahmed Dagga and Shahid.
Two other accused — Mohammed Maqbool Pandit and Bhat — were also charged by the NIA but are absconding. An Interpol Red Corner notice has been issued against them.
The NIA is investigating multiple cases in the Kashmir Valley.
