A chargesheet by the National Investigative Agency has opened a can of worms for former J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti and her PDP as the links of terror funding continue to emerge.
Waheed-ur-Rehman Para, who is a close aide of former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, is in the dock after the NIA filed a chargesheet for allegedly funding Rs 10 lakh to Lashkar commander from Pakistan who, in turn, was involved in the killings of several of India’s brave hearts.
The NIA chargesheet also reveals Para’s role in the gun-running racket, funding terrorists and separatists with the aim of keeping the fire of secessionism stoked in the Valley. All these are claimed to be happening right under the nose of Mehbooba Mufti.
According to the NIA chargesheet, Para gave Rs 10 lakh to Lashkar’s Kashmir chief of Pakistani origin, Abu Dujana, as financial support. The chargesheet also alleges that Para also provided logistic support to the dreaded Pakistani Lashkar terrorist, Naveed Jatt – the prime accused in the killing of senior journalist Shujaat Bukhari.
Waheed-u-Rehman Para, who was head of the state sports council, chose to use Rs 5 crore earmarked for sports activities to fund unrest by luring youngsters to stone-pelting in Kashmir Valley as he gave the amount to the Hurriyat (Geelani faction). The chargesheet claimed that the PDP leader had close ties with Pakistani origin terrorists stoking violence in the valley.
In fact, the chargesheet claims that Para used his official car to smuggle AK-47 for terror groups. The chargesheet stated, “He used to visit Kupwara area with his escort party and bring weapons in his vehicle as none of the security agents used to check vehicle en route being an important political entity.”
More worryingly, the chargesheet reveals that Para’s official residence at Gupkar road was often used for various rendezvous between Para and Hizbul Mujahideen’s Irfan Shafi Mir. Such allegations against a party member could prove to be very unpleasant for Mehbooba Mufti.
One of the investigating officers said, “It was symbiotic relation between Para and Hizbul Mujahideen. He was providing protection money to Hizbul commander for ensuring their help during campaigning for Lok Sabha elections.”
To ensure that the initial spike in violence post the killing of terrorist Burhan Wani continues to sustain in the valley, Para, on behalf of PDP, funded Hurriyat according to the investigations.
A senior officer said, “NIA is trying to find out whether party funds were used by Para for this purpose, or funds meant for sports activity under Khelo India scheme were diverted to fund terror organisations to wage war against India.”