NEW DELHI: Based on the interrogation of three Kashmiri separatists and the evidence collected during the probe into funding of separatist groups by Lashkar-e-Taiba and other Pakistani agencies, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is likely to convert the Preliminary Enquiry (PE) related to terror funding into a regular FIR.
The allegations have been prima facie corroborated during the ongoing enquiry through evidences like bank transactions, property acquisitions by the accused through suspicious funds and other technical evidence, agency sources said.
During the course of the PE, the agency has also analysed a number of cases registered by the Jammu and Kashmir police for probing incidents related to stone-pelting and burning of government schools by terror groups.
“We have gathered enough material evidence to initiate and proceed with a regular case. The gathered materials are being scrutinised and a decision to convert the PE into FIR will be taken soon,” a senior NIA official said.
The NIA questioned Kashmiri separatists—Farooq Ahmad Dar alias ‘Bitta Karate’, Nayeem Khan and Javed Ahmed Baba alias ‘Gazi’ of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat—for the second day here in connection with the PE.
While the PE is an informal measure by an investigating agency to enquire into an incident, an FIR (First Information Report) has legal sanction under the Criminal Procedure Code.
Once an FIR is registered, the agency can even arrest the accused persons and subject them to custodial interrogation.
As part of the enquiry, the NIA has also analysed bank accounts and property-related transactions besides Income Tax returns of the three persons named in the PE and has found discrepancies in them, the sources said.
The PE into the funding of the separatist groups by LeT chief Hafiz Saeed and other Pakistani agencies to trigger unrest in the Valley was registered by the NIA following airing of a sting operation by a prominent English news channel.