NIA to question separatist leader’s younger son

NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday issued summons to Kashmiri separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani’s younger son Naseem Geelani for questioning in its ongoing probe in Jammu and Kashmir terror funding case.

Sources said that the central antiterror agency asked Naseem Geelani to appear before it at its headquarters on Wednesday and also reissued summons to his elder brother Naeem Geelani, a doctor who was once based in Pakistan, as he failed to appear in response to the NIA’s earlier notice calling him on Monday.

“NIA has issued summons to Geelani’s younger son Naseem and reissued summons to his elder son Naeem who is admitted to hospital in Srinagar because of sudden ailment and did not appear before us today (Monday),” said sources.

Earlier in the day, the NIA also raided the ancestral home of Jammu and Kashmir advocate Devender Singh Behal, in Nowshera town of the state’s Rajouri district, a day after arresting him over suspected involvement in the funding case.

As part of its crackdown on Kashmiri separatist leaders for their alleged involvement in funding terrorist activities, the NIA on Sunday raided Behal’s home in Jammu’s Bakshi Nagar and took him into custody. Four mobile phones, a tablet, electronic devices and financial documents were also seized.

NIA sources said Behal, who is considered close to Geelani and is regularly seen at funerals of slain militants, was being questioned for his role in the funding. — IANS