Arrest Of Seven Separatist Leaders In Terror Funding Case Can Alter The Landscape Of Militancy

The arrest of seven Kashmiri separatist leaders on Tuesday, for their involvement in Pakistan’s terror funding in the Valley, could drastically alter the landscape of militancy in Kashmir, reports Mint. The crackdown is set to reveal the links of separatist leaders, who have for long been the intellectual and the political face of the militancy, to terrorist outfits sponsored by Pakistan.

According to a senior National Investigation Agency official, one of the main sources of illegal income was the carpets and dry fruits trade route, and experts have pointed out that it was imperative to first identify the actual sources of terror funding, before cracking down on militancy and terrorism in Kashmir.

“The Union Home Ministry has said that it was actively looking at rounding up all supporters in the Valley and other states, who were actively or tacitly lending assistance to the on-going militancy in Kashmir. The crackdown is set to reveal the links of separatist leaders, who have for long been the intellectual and the political face of the militancy, to terrorist outfits sponsored by Pakistan in this regard,” said a senior Home Ministry official to the Mint, requesting anonymity.

The separatists were produced in Delhi’s Patiala House Court on Tuesday following which they were remanded in police custody for 10 days.