Four held for taking Pakistani funds to fuel Kashmir unrest

Four people, including two militants, were arrested in north Kashmir’s Sopore for fuelling the ongoing unrest, police said on Wednesday.

A senior police officer said the two militants — Gowhar Ahmed Bhat and Hilal Ahmed Gojri — residents of Baramulla and members of the organisation Tehreek-i-Jehad-i-Islami (TJI) based in Pakistan were arrested and interrogated.

Incriminating documents were found from their possession.

During the course of investigation, the accused duo revealed the names of two more people — Showkat Ali Gazi and Zahoor Ahmed Shagoo — also Sopore residents.

“All four had visited Pakistan on valid passport,” the senior officer told HT, adding that Gowhar had visited Pakistan three times in 2008, 2012 and this year.

In a statement released on Wednesday evening, police said that in the interrogation of Showkat and Zahoor it was revealed that “during their visit to Pakistan they received Rs 50,000 each and were promised more funds for fuelling the current unrest. Both of them have been arrested”.

Police has registered a case and are investigating further.

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