NIA searches Hizb chief son's residence in Kashmir

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday carried out searches at the residence of Syed Shahid Yousuf, son of Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin, at Budgam in central Kashmir.

The agency seized five mobile phones, a laptop and some incriminating documents, officials said.

Shahid, who was arrested by the NIA on October 24 for receiving funds from overseas for subversive activities in the Kashmir Valley, is at present in the custody of the agency for seven days.

According to the NIA, 42-year-old Shahid, who works in the Agricultural Department of the Jammu & Kashmir government, has given the names of overseas Hizbul Mujahideen members involved in fund-raising for the terror outfit.

The NIA said during questioning, Shahid "admitted to having received funds from cadres of the Hizbul Mujahideen on the directions of his father for fomenting terrorist activities in the Valley".

The NIA said he also "revealed the names of his associates abroad who were linked with the Mujahideen and involved in raising, collecting and transferring funds from other countries to India".

The agency said that Shahid used to receive funds through a US-based international wire transfer company from Aijaz Ahmed Bhat, another accused in the case who is absconding and is based in Saudi Arabia.

The NIA said so far, Shahid had received about Rs 4.5 lakh through eight international wire transfers.