NIA nabs Hizbul chief Syed Salahuddin's son for receiving terror funds'

New Delhi: Syed Shahid Yousuf, son of globally wanted terrorist Syed Salahuddin, was arrested by the National Investigation Agency on Tuesday in connection with a 2011 terror funding case for allegedly receiving money from his father.

An NIA spokesman said that 42-year-old Shahid, at present working in the Jammu and Kashmir government’s agricultural department, was summoned to the headquarters today after which he was placed under arrest.

The NIA alleged that Shahid used to receive funds through international wire money transfer from Aijaz Ahmed Bhat, an absconding accused, at present based in Saudi Arabia.

The agency alleged that Shahid is “one of several Indian contacts of Bhat” who have been in telephonic contact with him to receive the money transfer codes.

The case, registered by the NIA in April 2011, relates to transfer of money from Pakistan to Jammu and Kashmir through Hawala channels via Delhi which was suspected to be used in funding terrorism and secessionist activities.

The NIA has so far filed two charge sheets against six people which included G M Bhat, a close aide of pro-Pakistan separatist Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mohammed Siddiq Ganai, Ghulam Jeelani Liloo and Farooq Ahmed Dagga. All the four were in judicial custody. Besides them, two others — Mohammed Maqbool Pandit and Aijaz Ahmed Bhat — have also been chargesheeted but both of them were absconding. An Interpol Red Corner notice has been issued against both.

The NIA has also registered two others cases related to terror funding this year.