NIA summons Syed Ali Shah Geelani's younger son to Delhi in terror funding case

New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday summoned Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani's younger son, Zahoor Geelani, to Delhi on charges of receiving funds from Pakistan to sponsor terror activities and protests in the Kashmir Valley.

The NIA had on July 27 issued summons to the elder son of the Kashmiri separatist leader in the terror funding case.

In a related development, Naeem Geelani, the elder son of Geelani, was yesterday admitted to the SKIMS Hospital after he complained of chest pain.

Naeem was scheduled to visit New Delhi today for the NIA investigation.

As part of its crackdown on Kashmiri separatist leaders for their alleged involvement in funding terror activities, the NIA had on Sunday questioned a Jammu activist and businessman, Devinder Singh Behal, who is considered close to Syed Ali Shah Geelani and regularly seen at funerals of slain militants.

Earlier, the NIA arrested eight separatists for funding terror in the Kashmir Valley. These include Shabir Shah, Altaf Shah, Ayaz Akbar, Peer Saifullah, Mehraj Kalwal, Shahid-ul-Islam, Naeem Khan and Bitta Karate.

The accused on remand with the NIA for custodial interrogation have been charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

The NIA had registered a case on May 30 against separatist leaders, including members of the Hurriyat, who it said were in connivance with militants from outlawed groups like Hizbul Mujahideen, Dukhtaran-e-Millat, Lashkar-e-Toiba and others for raising and receiving funds.

Investigators said the funds were received by the separatists through illegal means, including hawala channels, for funding terrorist and other activities in Jammu and Kashmir.

(With Agency inputs)