‘Militant Recruitment Case’
NIA files charge sheet against trio including 2 slain militants

In alleged ‘militant recruitment’ case, National Investigating Agency filed charge sheet against two slain militants and a youth from South Kashmir’s Kulgam district.

The charge sheet was filed at NIA Special Court at Jammu. The three accused against whom charge sheet was produced are Muneeb Hameed Bhat of Nanibugh, Kulgam, slain Junaid Manzoor Mattoo and slain Umer Rashid Wani, both residents of Khudwani, Kulgam.

The case against the accused as per news agency KNT was registered at police station Kulgam in 2017. The accused were accused of motivating youth to join militant outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba and organized their travel to Pakistan for militant training on the basis of valid travel documents on the recommendation of separatist leaders.

NIA took charge of the said case in 2018.

NIA claimed that during investigation it was established that LeT militant Junaid Manzoor Mattoo motivated accused Muneeb Hameed Bhat to join LeT and go to Pakistan for militant training. Another LeT militant Umer Rashid Wani gave him funds to meet the expenses of his Pakistan visit. In July-August 2017, accused Muneeb Hameed Bhat visited Pakistan on valid travel documents for militant training with the assistance of separatist leaders.

“He was imparted weapons training and also training for using secret social media chat platforms. After returning from Pakistan, he remained constantly in touch with LeT handlers in Pakistan and active militants of Kulgam area on secret messaging platforms for carrying out subversive and militatnt activities in Kashmir Valley. He was working as a sleeper cell of LeT and further intended to join the militant ranks in LeT.

“Investigation has also established that during the year 2016 to 2018, many Kashmiri youth were sent by separatist leaders to Pakistan on Valid Travel Documents for getting militant training with active assistance of the commanders of militant groups. These youth got militant training in the militant camps of Pakistan for period ranging from 5 to 15 days. After returning, they are initially used as sleeper cells by militant organizations and subsequently recruited for active militancy.

Accused Junaid Manzoor Mattoo and Umer Rashid Wani were killed in separate gunfights in 2017 and 2018.

NIA said that further investigation in the case is under progress. KNT