3 Poonch traders under NIA scanner for terror funding

NIA RECENTLY DIVULGED THAT FIVE TRADERS WERE ALLEGEDLY FOUND INVOLVED IN ‘FUNDING TERRORISM’ IN J&K VIA IMPORT OF CALIFORNIA ALMONDS

JAMMU Following raids by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) at the two trans-LoC trade facilitation centres in Baramulla and Poonch districts of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), three traders of Poonch are on the radar of intelligence agencies.

The NIA had recently divulged that five traders, associated with the barter trade with Pakistan, were allegedly found involved in ‘funding terrorism’ in J&K via import of california almonds (Badam Giri).

“The NIA had conducted raids at Chakan-da-Bagh trade centre and the sleuths had seized entire records. Three traders, who operate via this trade centre and are based in Poonch, were also called for investigations at Delhi,” said an intelligence source.

Of the five traders zeroed in by the NIA, three are from Poonch, and that is why they were called to Delhi, he added. He also said that the three are under the scanner of intelligence agencies.

The investigating agency stated that reliable information was received by the Centre that large-scale transfer of funds from Pakistan to India has been taking place through the import of california almonds via the cross-LoC trade mechanism at trade centres in Salamabad in Uri area of Baramulla district in Kashmir and Chakan-da-Bagh in Poonch district of Jammu division. Accordingly, the Centre issued orders directing NIA to initiate an investigation.

A source in Chakan-da-Bagh trade centre said that despite being a barter trade, some Indian traders were resorting to underbilling of import merchandise from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), which results into rich profits for them.

“Its an open secret that Indian traders from J&K have been meeting their PoK counterparts in gulf countries on the pretext of settling accounts,” he added.