NIA quizzes J&K MLA in terror funding case

New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency, for the first, has questioned a senior politician and sitting MLA from Jammu and Kashmir, Sheikh Abdul Rashid, in connection with in a case related to the funding of terror activities in the Valley. 

Mr Rashid, who is popularly knows as Engineer Rashid, is an MLA from Langate Assembly segment in North Kashmir has been known for his critical views on action initiated by security forces in the Valley in some cases.

Mr Rashid reached the NIA headquarters on Tuesday morning carrying some documents and files. The MLA claimed he had nothing to hide and was willing to answer all questions of the agency.

While talking to the media outside the NIA office Mr Rashid claimed that “in the wake of a media trial against him” he himself had approached the Speaker of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly to initiate an investigation and find out the truth regarding his involvement in any such case. “I have full faith in the country’s judicial system,” Mr Rashid added.

The MLA’s name had first come up during the custodial interrogation of a businessman from Srinagar, Zahoor Watali, who has already been arrested by the NIA for allegedly facilitating payments to terror outfits and other separatists in the Valley using the hawala network. 

The NIA had in May lodged a case in connection with funding or terror groups and separatist leaders in the Valley and its FIR had named members of the Hurriyat Conference, Hafiz Saeed and terrorist organisations Hizbul Mujahideen, Dukhtaran-e-Millat, Lashkar-e-Tayyaba apart from some other groups.