Cross LoC Trade Case: NIA conducts searches at multiple locations in J&K.
The National Investigaton Agency (NIA) today conducted searches at multiple locations in Jammu and Kashmir in Cross LoC Trade Case.
The searches were conducted at nine places in J&K in its ongoing probe in connection with a large scale transfer of funds from Pakistan to India through the import of California Almonds (Badam Giri) through cross LOC trade routes.
The NIA with the assistance of J&K Police, CRPF and ITBP conducted searches in the border district of Poonch at the premises of the suspected LoC traders in relation to the case.
The NIA had filed an FIR on December 16, 2016 and registered a case under Section 17 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and started a probe after Union Home Ministry’s December 9, 2016 order based on input regarding terror funding taking place through cross-LOC trade routes.
LoC Trade was started in the year 2008 as a part of confidence-building measure between J&K and PoK. The trade was based on barter system and third party origin goods were not allowed. The instant case is related to the large scale transfer of funds from Pakistan to India through the import of California Almonds and other items via the Cross LoC Trade Facilitation Centres (TFCs) located at Salamabad, Uri, District Baramulla and Chakkan-Da-Bag, District Poonch. These funds were purportedly being used for fomenting terrorism and separatism in Jammu and Kashmir.
AIR correspondent reports, investigation into the case revealed that some of the traders having excess imports were channelizing the surplus profit generated to terror organizations while others are suspected to have links and connections with proscribed terrorist organizations.
During the searches, the NIA has seized various documents, digital devices and other incriminating materials from the premises of the suspects.
