The Kashmir Pulse

PULWAMA — In the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, voting for the Srinagar parliamentary seat marked a significant milestone since the abrogation of Article 370, as hundreds of young voters exercised their right to vote for the first time.

Dr Talat Majeed, a former member of Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) in southern Kashmir's Pulwama district, who recently joined Altaf Bukhari's political party (Apni Party), participated in the election process by casting his vote.

Following his vote, Dr Majeed emphasized the importance of the election in showcasing the Kashmiri people's commitment to democracy. "This election process will answer those people who were claiming that the future of Kashmiris was not secure with India," he stated, noting the significant shift in the political landscape post the Article 370 abrogation.

Dr Majeed highlighted the increased participation of youth in the democratic process, a departure from previous trends where they were often sidelined. He expressed optimism for future elections, anticipating even higher voter turnout.

Responding to queries about the increased election frequency, Dr Majeed explained, "Compared to the assembly elections, the voting rate is generally lower in the parliamentary elections, but this time, the percentage of voting has increased in these parliamentary elections," suggesting a positive trend for upcoming assembly elections.

As the political scenario continues to evolve in Kashmir, Dr Majeed's remarks highlight the growing engagement of Kashmiri youth in shaping the region's democratic future.

NEW DELHI — The Indian government has established a tribunal, headed by a judge from the Delhi High Court, to determine whether there are grounds to declare Jamaat-e-Islami, Jammu and Kashmir, as an unlawful association.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced the formation of the tribunal through a notification issued on Wednesday.

Citing a previous notification dated February 27, 2024, published in the Gazette of India, the MHA stated, "Jamaat-e-Islami has been declared as an unlawful association."

The notification further outlined that the Central Government is exercising its powers under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, to appoint Justice Navin Chawla, Judge of the High Court of Delhi, to lead the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal.

The tribunal's mandate is to assess whether there is sufficient cause to designate Jamaat-e-Islami as an unlawful association, as per the provisions outlined in the aforementioned Act.

This move comes after the Centre extended the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami for an additional five years on February 27, 2024. The organization was initially banned on February 28, 2019.

NEW DELHI — The Centre on Friday authorised all States and Union Territories to take action against three banned Jammu and Kashmir-based groups under the UAPA.

The three groups are the Muslim Conference Jammu and Kashmir (Sumji faction), Muslim Conference Jammu and Kashmir (Bhat faction) and Jamaat-e-Islami, Jammu and Kashmir.

In three identical notifications, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs said the Centre directs that all powers exercisable by it under Section 7 and Section 8 of the anti-terror Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967, shall be exercised by state governments and Union Territory administrations in relation to the three unlawful associations.

On February 27, the Home Ministry extended the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami, Jammu and Kashmir, for five years for continuing activities against the security, integrity and sovereignty of the nation.

A day later, it announced that the Muslim Conference Jammu and Kashmir (Sumji faction) and the Muslim Conference Jammu and Kashmir (Bhat faction) were also declared as banned groups for their anti-India and pro-Pakistan propaganda, besides asking people to refrain from taking part in elections.

SRINAGAR — The Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India on Tuesday announced the extension of the ban as an 'Unlawful Association' on Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) Jammu Kashmir for another five years under Section 3(1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) 1967.

Taking to microblogging site ‘X’, Home Minister Amit Shah wrote, “Pursuing PM @narendramodi Ji's policy of zero tolerance against terrorism and separatism, the government has extended the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami, Jammu Kashmir for five years.”

“The organisation is found continuing its activities against the security, integrity and sovereignty of the nation. The outfit was first declared an 'Unlawful Association' on 28 February 2019. Anyone threatening the security of the nation will face ruthless measures (sic.),” reads the post.

The last ban on the ‘Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu Kashmir’ was imposed, vide Gazette Notification Number S.O. 1069(E), dated the 28th February, 2019.

Many criminal cases have been registered against the Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu Kashmir and its members under various sections of law including the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

SRINAGAR — In connection with a militancy funding case, sleuths of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday early morning carried out raids at 15 locations in J&K.

NIA spokesperson in a statement said that its teams swooped down on the premises of various suspects at five locations in Srinagar, three in Budgam, two in Kulgam, one in Anantnag and four in Jammu.

“Incriminating documents and digital devices connected with the activities of JeI (Jamaat-e-Islami) and its related Trusts in J&K were seized during the extensive searches, which also led to the recovery of over 20 lakh rupees in case,” said the spokesperson in the statement.

The probing agency said that its investigations in the case, registered on February 5, 2021, have so far revealed that JeI and its members have continued to promote militant and secessionist activities in J&K even after the outfit was proscribed under the UA(P) Act in February 2019. “Operatives of the banned organisation had been collecting funds through donations from within India and abroad.”

“The funds were collected mainly in the form of Zakat, Mowda and Bait-ul-Maal, purported to promote charity and other welfare activities, such as health and education, but were instead being used for carrying out violent and secessionist activities,” reads the statement.

It was further found that the funds raised by JeI were also being channelled to other proscribed militant organisations, such as Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) etc, through well-organised networks of JeI cadres, the NIA said, adding that JeI was also engaged in motivating impressionable youth and recruiting new members (Rukuns) in J&K to further its nefarious and secessionist activities.

NIA had earlier charge-sheeted four accused persons in the case in which investigations are continuing, it added.

SRINAGAR — The State Investigation Agency (SIA) on Monday identified more assets of Jamaat-e-Islami in district Kupwara worth Rs three crores and barred with restrictions on usage and entry.

“Today on 29-05-2023 in district Kupwara, property worth Rs 3 crores (approximately) after being notified by DM Kupwara on the recommendation of SIA of J&K, has been barred with restrictions on usage and entry,” a police spokesman said in a statement issued to the news agency KNO.

"To choke the availability of funds for secessionist activities and to dismantle the ecosystem of anti-national elements & militant networks hostile to India's national security, sovereignty, integrity and unity, property belonging to and held by banned JeI at Kupwara has been notified by concerned District Magistrates in the exercise of the powers conferred under section 8 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 & Notification No. 14017/7/2019, dated 28 February 2019 of Union Ministry of Home Affairs," the statement said.

"The property is a shopping complex comprising 20 shops along with appurtenant land falling under survey number 2990/2666/270 and survey number 3551/2979/263 has been sealed and entry/usage barred has been prohibited," reads the notification. Additionally, a “red entry” to this effect has been made in the relevant revenue records. With this, SIA Kashmir has got 57 properties of JeI notified to date, police said.

"The action, it is expected, would significantly dent militant funding in J&K besides being another major step in restoring rule of law & a society without fear," police said.

Pertinently, SIA has identified as many as 188 JeI properties across the UT of J&K which have either been notified or are under the process of being notified for further legal action. These are as a result of an investigation of case FIR number 17 of 2019 U/S 10, 11 & 13 of Police Station Batmaloo being investigated by SIA, police said.

SRINAGAR — In a major crackdown in Jammu and Kashmir, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday raided multiple locations with the assistance of J&K Police and CRPF in Jammu and Kashmir in connection with a case of banned organization Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI).

Reliable sources informed Srinagar-based news agency KDC that the sleuths of NIA with the assistance of police and CRPF raided the house of Ghulam Mohammad Bhat (85) son of Mohammad Jabbar Bhat at HIG Colony Bemina in Srinagar. The raid carried out by the agency is related to the JeI.

In south Kashmir’s Anantnag, the NIA team raided the house of Mudasir Ahmad Dar son of Ghulam Hassan Dar, a resident of KV-pora Marhama.

The other team headed by Inspector Patail searched the house of Ghulam Quadi Wani son of Abdul Salam Wani, a resident of Goosu Pulwama as he was affiliated with JeI. The NIA team also raided Thokerpora Rajpora in the house of Shameem Ahmad Thoker son of Ghulam Nabi Thoker, who is a government teacher.

Another NIA team searched the house of Mansoor Ahmad Dar son of Late Mohd Maqbool Dar, a resident of Wanbal Nehama in Kakapora. At Nehama, the houses of Mushtaq Ah Rather son of Assadullah Rather and Abdul Rashid Malik son of Ghulam Ahmad Malik are being searched by another team of NIA.

The agency also raided the house of Abdul Rashid Malik son of Ghulam Ahmad Malik at Daferpora Newa. He is said to be the close relative of Advocate Zahid (JeI), a resident of Nehama Kakapora who is presently under Public Safety Act (PSA).

In north Kashmir, the house of Ubaid Khazir Malik son of Khazir Mohd Malik at Warpora Zachaldara, Handwara is being searched by the nation probing agency.

The raids are being carried out at other locations in Jammu and Kashmir, of which details will be shared later.

An official confirmed the raids and said that further details will be shared after the conclusion of the raids.

The Centre had banned the Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir in 2019 for five years under an anti-terror law on grounds that it was "in close touch" with militant outfits and is expected to "escalate secessionist movement" in the state.

SRINAGAR — National Investigation Agency on Tuesday said that it filed a charge-sheet against Jamaat-e-Islami-linked Al-Huda Educational Trust in a case related to alleged militancy funding.

In a handout to the news agency GNS, the NIA said that JeI was declared an Unlawful Association in 2019. The NIA, which was subsequently mandated to investigate the continued suspicious activities of the militant outfit, registered a case against JeI in September 2022. It filed the chargesheet today in the NIA Special Court, J&K, after extensive investigations and multiple raids in Jammu and Kashmir.

According to the spokesman, a Pak-based Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) militant, Mushtaq Ahmed Mir alias Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar, is among the four individuals named in the chargesheet. Others charged in the case are AHET, Mohammad Amir Shamshi, a ‘Rukun’ (primary member) and chairperson of AHET, and Abdul Hamid Ganai alias Abdul Hamid Fayaz of Shopian. All four have been charged under various sections of UA(P) Act and IPC.

“Investigations have revealed that Md. Amir Shamshi was responsible for the day-to-day working of AHET, which was formed by JeI with the explicit purpose of mobilizing funds to carry on its secessionist activities in Jammu and Kashmir,” NIA claimed.

Amir collected funds for JeI, J&K, through the Trust in the form of educational and religious donations, it said. “He channelized the funds to his co-accused, Amir-e-Jamaat (Head of JeI J&K) Abdul Hamid Ganai, to further the banned outfit’s anti-India agenda,” it said.

Amir Shamshi also conspired with Mushtaq Ahmed Mir, originally a resident of Rajouri, the NIA said. “Mushtaq sent funds to Amir from Pakistan through Hawala channels. Amir used these funds to organize propaganda meetings to motivate individuals to engage in secessionist and militant activities,” reads the statement.

SRINAGAR — State Investigation Agency (SIA) on Saturday attached more properties belonging to banned Jamaat-e-Islami at different locations in south Kashmir.

An official told the news agency KNO that SIA attached the properties in Sirhama, Viddy Srigufwara, Arwani in Anantnag district and in the main town Kulgam.

He said the properties include a double-storied house, along with seven Marla of land, 56 kanal agricultural land, two Kanal seven Marla land, three Kanal four Marla land and 1.5 Kanal land.

The official said the properties were seized in connection with an investigation of a case by the SIA.

SRINAGAR — The District Magistrate (DM) Srinagar has ordered the sealing of three properties of banned Jamat-e Islami (JeI) including two-storied residential structures constructed over 17 Marlas of proprietary land at Barzulla, Srinagar recorded in the name of late separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

In the order issued, the DM quoted communication No. SIA/SN/FIR-17/2019/7738-42; dated 16-12-2022 by the State Investigation Agency (SIA), saying that during the investigation of case FIR No. 17/2019 u/s 10, 11, 13 UA(P) Act of Police Station Batamaloo now being investigated by Police Station SIA, three properties have surfaced that are owned by or under the possession of banned association Jamat-e-Islami and are located in the jurisdiction of district Srinagar and are to be notified in terms of section 8 UA(P) Act.

One of the properties includes land measuring 1 Kanal and 7 Marla at Khushipora Shalateng under Survey No. 279 and 280 in the name of Jamat-e-Islami J&K through District President Bashir Ahmad Lone son of Abdul Samad Lone, resident of Harwan, Srinagar vide Mutation No. 2949.

Another land measuring 1 Kanal and 3 Marla at Khushipora Shalateng under Survey No. 276 in the name of Jamat-e-Islami J&K through District President Bashir Ahmad Lone son of Abdul Samad Lone, resident of Harwan, Srinagar vide Mutation No. 2950.

The third property is a two-storied residential structure constructed over proprietary land measuring 17 Marla and 199 Sft. under Survey No. 1388/307 at Barzulla, Srinagar recorded in the name of late leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Firdous Ahmad Asmi vide Mutation No. 2646.

The DM said that upon obtaining the report from the concerned Tehsildar and after perusal of the Revenue Record pertaining to the above properties, it was found that these properties are owned by and are under the possession of banned Jamat-e-Islami association through their members.

“And whereas, on perusal of the records and other connected documents, I, District Magistrate Srinagar, am satisfied that there is sufficient material to notify the above-mentioned properties under the said Act,” the order said.

The order asked the lead District Manager for information and directions to seize all accounts of the proscribed organization whether in the name of members/institutions of affiliated units and furnish a compliance report immediately.

SRINAGAR — National Investigation Agency (NIA) with the assistance of the Jammu and Kashmir Police and CRPF raided multiple locations on Thursday in Kashmir valley in connection with a case registered against the banned organization Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI).

Official sources told news agency Kashmir Dot Com (KDC) that multiple locations were raided by the probing agency NIA with the assistance of Jammu and Kashmir Police along with CRPF in connection with a case registered against the banned organisation.

They said the case was registered by the probing agency NIA in pursuance of an order from the Ministry of Home Affairs relating to “separatist and secessionist activities of JeI, an unlawful association under the UA(P) Act, even after its proscription on 28.02.2019.”

NIA in its statement had said, “The members of the organisation have been collecting funds domestically and abroad through donations, particularly in the form of Zakat, Mowda and Bait-ul-Maal purportedly to further charity and other welfare activities but these funds are instead being used for violent and secessionist activities.”

NIA claimed, “The funds raised by JeI are also being channelised to militants such as Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and others through well-organised networks of JeI cadres. JeI has also been motivating impressionable youth of Kashmir and recruiting new members (Rukuns) in J&K to participate in disruptive secessionist activities.”

Reliable sources said a raid was conducted in the residential house of Farooq Ahmad Bhat alias Khaki son of Mohad Sadiq Bhat, a resident of Chinar Bagh Pahroo in Srinagar outskirts. Bhat is said to be Qaiym Zilah of JeI Budgam.

In Budgam, raids were conducted in the residential house of Khursheed Sanai (JeI member) son of Mohd Shaban, a resident of Falchil Khansahib and Bilal Ahmad Mir (JeI member) son of Ghulam Hassan, a resident of Hanjura area of the district.

Similarly, in north Kashmir raids were conducted in the residences of Hafizullah Ganie, son of Fatha Mohammad Ganie, a resident of Chandkoot Kreeri and Shoaib Mohammad Choor son of Mohammad Akbar, a resident of Sangri Colony Baramulla.

Many other locations are being searched by the national probing agency of which sources said details were being collected.

“During the searches on Thursday, various incriminating documents and electronic devices were seized from the premises of the suspects," sources said, adding that further investigation of the case is going on.

SRINAGAR — The Jammu and Kashmir School Education Department on Tuesday ordered a ban on the operation of schools run by Falah-e-Aam Trust, an affiliate of banned Jamaat-e-Islami.

A top official told Kashmir News Service (KNS) that the development came after the State Investigation Agency (SIA) in its investigations found gross illegalities, outright frauds, and mass-scale encroachment of government lands by the Trust.

He said that School Education Department has ordered the cessation of academic activities in Falah-e-Aam Trust-affiliated schools.

The Falah-e-Aam Trust is an affiliate of Jamat-e-Islami (JeI) which is proscribed by the Ministry of Home Affairs under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities and Prevention Act.

The official said that JeI mostly draws its sustenance from the vast network of Falah-e-Aam Trust schools, seminaries, orphanages, pulpits of mosques and other charities.

He said that the SIA of J&K Police during investigation found that these institutions played a destructive role in the large-scale unrests of 2008, 2010 and 2016 in Kashmir, “bringing huge miseries to common people and forcing them for shutdowns by threat, intimidation and street violence.”

He added that during the investigation, almost all Falah-e-Aam Trust schools have been found to be existing on illegally acquired government and community lands.

The official said that SIA has already registered a case in this regard and is expanding the ambit of its probe to unearth all such frauds, unauthorized entities and forgeries committed in the last 30 years.

SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir Police on Friday raided the house and office of a Hurriyat and Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) leader, who has been detained in a Hawala money case involving ex-minister Babu Singh and recovered some incriminating material related to the JeI during the raids.

A police spokesman, according to news agency Kashmir Dot Com, said that police raided the house and office of the "Hurriyat/Jamaat-e-Islami linked leader" at Dalpatia Mohalla and Khatikan Talab of Jammu's old city.

"The police teams have seized some incriminating material related to Jamat-e-Islami," he said.

The accused has already been detained by police in a Hawala money case involving former Minister Babu Singh.

Singh was arrested on April 9 after remaining absconding since March 31 when one Shareef Sartaj from south Kashmir's Anantnag was arrested along with nearly Rs 7 lakh in Gandhi Nagar area of Jammu. Singh's name had surfaced during an Anantnag man's questioning.

SRINAGAR — Police along with the Army and CRPF arrested a 'hybrid' militant and his accomplice “who were planning to target outside labourers”, officials claimed.

Besides, they said, police have arrested one person for collecting funds in the name of JeI in Baramulla.

“On a specific input, police along with (Army) 50RR and CRPF 110Bn apprehended one suspect Rayees Ahmad Mir son of Abdul Rashid Mir of Chandhara and recovered one Pistol along with ammunition from his possession,” a police spokesman told GNS.

“During preliminary interrogation, the suspect disclosed that he received a Pistol with ammunition and instructions from a LeT (militant) code name Haji to attack and kill at least two outside labourers in Pampore town,” he said, adding, “Rayees was promised to be recruited as (militant) after execution of the attack.”

Rayees, the “hybrid” militant sought the aid of his friend namely Shakir Hamid Bhat son of Abdul Hamid Bhat of Alochibagh Samboora to identify the target and provide him a motorcycle for executing this act, the spokesperson said.

“Timely intelligence and swift action by a joint team of Police, Army and CRPF not only led to the arrest of a hybrid (militant) and his accomplice but also prevented terror incident and saved precious lives of innocent civilians,” it said.

Accordingly, he said, a case (FIR No. 43/2022) has been registered in Police Station Pampore and “further investigations continue.”

Meanwhile, in Baramulla, Police have arrested one person involved in the collection of funds in the name JeI in Baramulla.

“Acting on a specific information about the collection of money in the name of banned organization Jamaat-e-Islami in Baramulla town, Baramulla Police and 46RR arrested one person identified as Mohammad Amin Ganie son of Ali Mohammad Ganie of Microwave Colony Kanlibagh Baramulla who was riding a Scooty (JK05G-7856),” the spokesperson said, adding, “Receipt books of Jamaat-e-Islami, mobile phone and cash Rs 15900, which was collected by him from the general public in the name of banned organization JeI, was recovered.”

During further investigation, he said, a search was also carried out at his house at Kanlibagh Baramulla where two J&K Bank Passbooks, three J&K Bank Cheque Books and a blank booklet of Jamaat-e-Islami were recovered.

“Accordingly, a case FIR number 68/2022 under relevant sections of law was registered at Police Station Baramulla and an investigation has been started," the statement added.