10 J&K militants based in Pak in cross-LoC trade

New Delhi, April 24

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Identifying 10 Jammu and Kashmir militants who crossed over to Pakistan and established trading business across the Line of Control (LoC) with active support of the ISI, the government today said these persons provided funds to terrorists and separatists in the troubled state in the garb of trade.

Officials said these persons mostly ran businesses either from Islamabad and Rawalpindi in Pakistan or Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Most of them, engaged in trading almonds, dry fruits and mangoes, used links to send money to fuel unrest in J&K on behalf of the ISI.

Last week, India suspended cross-LoC trade at two points following reports that the facility was being “misused” to smuggle weapons, narcotics and fake currency.

Officials said Mehrajuddin Bhat of Tral went to Pakistan to join militancy a decade ago. Staying in Rawalpindi, Bhat set up “Mehrajuddin Traders” to get involved in the cross-LoC trade. His brother is also a cross-LoC trader on the Indian side registered at the Trade Facilitation Centre (TFC), Uri.

Likewise, Nazir Ahmed Bhat of Pampore crossed over to Pakistan and joined militancy. He he runs New Kashmir Traders and New Kashmir Firm. — TNS

Those identified

• Mehrajuddin Bhat of Tral
• Nazir Ahmed Bhat of Pampore
• Basharat Ahmed Bhat of Budgam
• Showkat Ahmed Bhat of Budgam
• Noor Mohammad of Budgam
• Khursheed of Srinagar
• Imtiyaz Ahmed of Budgam
• Amir of Pattan (Baramulla)
• Azaz Rehmani of Baramulla
• Shabbir Illahi of Sopore