Jammu & Kashmir: Former MLA Rashid Engineer Arrested By NIA For Alleged Involvement In Terror Funding Case

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken into custody a former Jammu & Kashmir MLA Sheikh Abdul Rashid Engineer for his alleged role in a major terror funding case, reports PTI.

Engineer had previously served as an independent representative in the state legislature from the Lanagate seat.

Engineer’s name came up when the agency was questioning a local businessman Zahoor Watali.

Other accused in the case are separatist leaders and members of the Hurriyat Conference, with Engineer being the first person from a mainstream political background who has been arrested in the matter.

They are charged with financing the activities of proscribed outfits such as the Hizbul Mujahideen, Dukhtaran-e-Millat, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and others using funds channeled through hawala networks. Even Pakistan based head of the LeT Hafiz Saeed is named as an accused in the case.

It is believed that the money was also used by separatist organisations to call for shutdowns, protests and other activities to disrupt peace and order in the Valley.