Abid Bashir
Srinagar (NVI): The National Investigation Agency today conducted raids on the South Kashmir residence of a truck driver who was involved in a narco-terrorism case and was recently arrested with Rs 29 lakh hawala money that he was supposed to hand over to slain Hizbul Mujahideen commander Reyaz Naikoo.
An NIA official said that a team conducted a raid in Nowgam in Khandaypora area of Awantipora in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district at the residence of Hilal Ahmad Wagay who was arrested on April 26 in Amritsar, Punjab.
“The case was taken over by NIA after Hilal was arrested with Rs 29 lakh rupees Indian currency in Punjab,” the official said.
In a statement issued here, the NIA said that Punjab Police had also traced inter-state links of slain Hizbul Mujhahideen chief Riyaz Ahmed Naikoo with the arrest of his two accomplices including Ranjit Singh and Iqbal Singh who were in touch with Hilal Ahmed Wagay. Following the lead, NIA along with teams of Punjab Police and Haryana Police had carried out intelligence-based raids in Sirsa, Haryana.
“On May 9, National Investigation Agency (NIA) nabbed former Hizbul Mujahideen chief Riyaz Naikoo’s aide, Ranjit Singh, from Haryana’s Sirsa,” an NIA statement read. “The investigation found damning evidence against Pakistan based militant organisations that was using narcotic trade to generate funds for militant activities in India. The proceeds of narcotic trade are transferred to Kashmir valley through couriers and Hawala channel for militancy purposes,” it added.
Sources said that NIA teams recovered incriminating material from the residence of Hilal Ahmed Wagay. “Further investigation is on,” they said.
-ARK
