Websites of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat— the political party floated by Hurriyat hardliner Syed Ali Shah Geelani— and proscribed Hizbul Mujahideen have been designed, developed by the same person

New Delhi: All Parties Hurriyat Conference convener Ghulam Mohammad Safi and advocate Parvez Ahmad, both based in Pakistan, have emerged as key figures in the cross-border confidential communication link the ISI established with separatists in J&K to wage war against India, the NIA has found in a terror-funding case.

NIA said in its chargesheet filed in a court here recently that United Jihad Council (a body of representatives of militant outfits operating in Kashmir), Jamat-ud-Dawah (another name for LeT), ISI's dedicated Kashmir cell and Hurriyat leaders work in unison to carry out anti-India activities.

The jihad council is the first point of contact for Pakistan to strategise its proxy war through terrorist incidents and secessionist activities, such as stone pelting and violent agitations.

The voluminous chargesheet, which has unmasked the role of ISI and Pakistan high commission in aiding, supporting and financing terrorists, charged that Safi and Ahmad "liaise with Pakistan authorities and convey the instructions of Pakistani government to Hurriyat leaders in J&K and vice-versa".

NIA's Findings

During its probe, the agency recovered an email from Safi to accused Ajaz Akbar Khandey condemning killing of militant Burhan Wani, who has been described as Kashmiri leader in the text — a Pakistan-dictated script for propaganda against the Indian government.

Similarly, investigations have revealed that advocate Ahmad was in close contact with accused Nayeem Khan, Basheer Ahmad Bhatt and other Hurriyat leaders through two cellphones. Safi and Ahmad, stated NIA, "have been organising rallies, seminars and programmes in Pakistan along with UJC chairman Syed Salahuddin to carry out anti-India propaganda".

ISI has tasked a Brigadier, who heads its Kashmir cell, for strategic planning, fund-raising, recruiting and training militants. Interestingly, even the cyber support to terrorist and separatist groups is being provided by outsourced persons having associations with Pakistani establishment.

For instance, the websites of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat — the political party floated by Hurriyat hardliner Syed Ali Shah Geelani — and proscribed Hizbul Mujahideen have been designed and developed by the same person "Zakirullah". He is based in Rawalpindi and his telephone number is common in both the web hosting addresses. Zakirullah was in touch with the accused persons, including Altaf Ahmad Shah, through an email id: zakirullah12@yahoo.co.in, charged the NIA.

The fact that both the websites are hosted in Pakistan and persons who manage are also common "reflects the close linkages between them in cyber space and that they actively extend technical support to each other" for pursuing terror activities in India, said the agency chargesheet.

NIA has indicted Pakistan high commission here for providing funds to separatist leaders and giving visas to children and relatives of militants to study in the hostile neighbouring country.

The special NIA court has taken cognisance of the chargesheet against a dozen accused, including Pak-based heads of banned Lashkare-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen, Hafiz Mohammad Saeed and Syed Salahuddin, respectively.