Delhi court accepts charges against Kashmiri separatists for conspiring with Hafiz Saeed against India

Seven Kashmiri separatists, including the son-in-law of Hurriyat hardliner Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who were arrested on July 24 last year, are accused of sponsoring and stoking terror in Jammu and Kashmir.

A Delhi court on Friday accepted framing of terror charges against Pakistan-based terrorist leaders Hafiz Saeed and Syed Salahuddin and seven Kashmiri separatist leaders accused of sponsoring and stoking terror in Jammu and Kashmir.

Last month, the NIA filed charges against separatist leaders for allegedly conspiring with Lashkar chief Hafiz Saeed (in pic) and Syed Salahuddin to wage war against India and secede Jammu and Kashmir. (AFP File)

After taking cognisance of a National Investigation Agency (NIA) charge sheet, judge Tarun Sahrawat directed the probe agency to supply its copies to the accused. The court will hear the case next on March 8.

The NIA on January 18 filed charges under stringent anti-terror laws against the jailed separatist leaders for allegedly conspiring with Saeed and Salahuddin to wage war against India and secede Jammu and Kashmir.

The agency also charged businessman Zahoor Ahmad Watali and two alleged stone pelters — Kamran and Javed Ahmed Bhat.

Bhat of Kulgam district and Kamran of Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir were arrested on September 5 last year while Watali was arrested on August 17.

The Kashmiri separatists who were arrested on July 24, 2017 are Aftab Hilali alias Shahid-ul-Islam, Ayaz Akbar Khandey, Farooq Ahmad Dar alias Bitta Karate, Nayeem Khan, Altaf Ahmad Shah, Raja Mehrajuddin Kalwal and Bashir Ahmad Bhat alias Peer Saifullah.