Jammu & Kashmir: In a significant move to curb the financing of terrorist activities, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached assets valued at approximately Rs. 5 Crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The case pertains to Mohammad Akbar Bhat and others involved in facilitating admissions in Pakistani colleges for Jammu & Kashmir students in exchange for substantial sums, allegedly diverted towards funding terrorism.
The attached properties consist of seven immovable assets and two bank accounts owned by various individuals, including Mohd Akbar Bhat, Ms. Fatima Shah, Qazi Yasir, Mohammad Abdullah Shah, and Mohd Iqbal Mir, situated in Jammu and Kashmir. The ED initiated the investigation based on an FIR and chargesheet filed by the J&K Police under the Unlawful Activity (Prevention) Act and IPC, 1860.
The accused, including Mohammad Akbar Bhat, Ms. Fatima Shah, Altaf Ahmad Bhat, Qazi Yasir, Syed Khalid Geelani, and others, were allegedly collaborating with Pakistani handlers. These handlers facilitated admissions in MBBS and other courses in Pakistani colleges for Jammu & Kashmir students, extracting hefty sums ranging from Rs. 10-15 lakhs per student.
ED’s investigation exposed that the received funds were directed into personal accounts and the bank accounts of Al-Jabar Trust, ostensibly opened for charitable purposes. However, these accounts were allegedly exploited for funneling funds into terrorist activities within India.
The funds were purportedly used for activities like financially supporting stone pelters and individuals/terrorists based in Jammu & Kashmir, acting on instructions from Pakistan handlers, including Manzoor Ahmad Shah and Altaf Ahmad Bhat. The provisional attachment of assets is a crucial step towards dismantling the financial networks sustaining terrorist operations in the region.
