NIA raids at 11 locations in J&K, Bengaluru including 'Greater Kashmir' office

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday carried out searches at 11 locations in Jammu & Kashmir and Karnataka, including the residence of activist Khurram Parvez and the office of a prominent English daily newspaper 'Greater Kashmir'.

According to reports the raid is in connection with its probe into a case pertaining to NGOs and trusts raising funds in India and abroad in the name of charitable activities and then using those funds for carrying out secessionist and separatist activities in J&K.

Local news agency, KNO,reported that NIA also raided a Hurriyat activists residence in North Kashmir's Bandipore area.

The anti-terror probe agency carried out searches at 10 locations in Srinagar and Bandipora in J&K and one location in Bengaluru,said an NIA spokesperson.

Assisted by local police and paramilitary troopers of the Central Reserve Police Forces, the raids were conducted in the office of 'Greater Kashmir' on Residency Road area.

The NIA spokes person said that searches were carried out at the residential and office premises of Khurram Parvez, who is co-ordinator of J&K Coalition of Civil Society, his associates Parvez Ahmad Bukhari, Parvez Ahmad Matta and Bengaluru-based associate Swati Sheshadri, Parveena Ahanger, chairperson of Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDPK) and offices of NGO Athrout and GK Trust.

As per the reports,NIA seized several "incriminating documents" and electronic devices during the search.

The action comes in the wake of a fresh case registered by the NIA on October 8 under several sections of the Indian Penal Code and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act on receipt of credible information' that certain NGOs and trusts are collecting funds domestically and abroad through so-called donations and business contributions etc and are then utilising these funds for secessionist and terrorist activities in J&K, says a report by IANS.