Lashkar-e-Taiba scores millions through hawala
August 12, 2011Millions of rupees have been transferred by the traditional Islamic method of hawala by Kashmiri militants to jihad groups Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen between 2008 and 2011, according to charges filed in an Indian court. Pakistan’s spy agency ISI was implicated in a separate hawala plot on behalf of Hizbul Mujahideen earlier this year. This latest finding comes from the Kashmir Observer:
Srinagar, Aug 03, KONS: The National Investigating Agency has filed a charge sheet against four separatist leaders of Kashmir in connection with an alleged hawala reacket involving crores of rupees even as investigation against the Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, is being speeded up.
According to the local news agency, Kashmir News Service, the 40-page charge sheet has been filed in a New Delhi court against the Hurriyat (G) legal advisor, Ghulam Muhammad Bhat; Peoples League leader, Muhammad Siddiq Ganai, and Ghulam Jeelani Leelo and Farooq Ahmad Dagga. Syed Ali Geelani is also being questioned in connection with the case.
Quoting New Delhi-based NIA sources, KNS said Rs 4,57,40,000. had allegedly been sent from Pakistan and Pak-administered Kashmir to militants of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen and some separatist leaders through various conduits between 2008 and 2011. A prominent Hizb activist based in PaK, Muhammad Maqbool Pandit, has allegedly played a key role in the operation. He is believed to have developed contacts in New Delhi and several other Indian cities, the report circulated by KNS said.
The report, quoting NIA officials, said Ghulam Muhammad Bhat was a member of Jama’at-e-Islami and he had joined Geelani’s Tehreek-e-Hurriyat in 2003.
Reports said Jameela Khan wife of Ghulam Muhammad Bhat arrested had been taken into custody near Udhampur in 2007 when she was traveling in a TATA Sumo and a sum of Rs 46,89,500 had allegedly been seized which she had concealed in a CNG cylinder. The money was reportedly meant for Syed Ali Shah Geelani.
Meanwhile, Geelani has denied the allegation saying these aimed at maligning him and the people’s movement.
Though widespread, hawala is essentially illegal in India.
Money Jihad 
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