Jammu, Nov 06: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday carried out simultaneous searches at multiple locations in Jammu and Kashmir, including the residence of former minister Jatinder Singh, commonly known as Babu Singh, in connection with a narco-terror money laundering investigation, officials said.
Official sources said the searches were conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) at six locations in Srinagar and two in Jammu.
The case stems from a March 2022 incident, when a man identified as Mohammad Shareef Shah was arrested while allegedly carrying ₹6.9 lakh in hawala money from Kashmir to Jammu for Babu Singh.
The funds, according to investigators, were intended to support separatist elements and fuel subversive activities.
Investigators have unearthed an alleged network involving Saif Din, Farooq Ahmad Naikoo and Mubashir Mushtaq Fafoo, linked to Pakistan-based handlers. Officials say heroin smuggled from Pakistan during 2021–22 was sold in India, generating over ₹2 crore, which was deposited in several Srinagar bank accounts.
These funds were then allegedly transferred to accounts of Indian nationals in Dubai, used as financial couriers to obscure the money trail, before being moved onward to Hizbul Mujahideen operatives in Pakistan.
The Special Investigation Agency (SIA) has already filed a chargesheet against 12 persons, including Babu Singh, in the hawala funding case. Singh was arrested in April 2022 but is currently out on bail.
In 2024, SIA arrested two additional accused including a police selection grade constable and a former sarpanch from Uri taking the total number of persons linked to the case to 17. Searches and evidence collection in the terror-financing module are ongoing.
Officials said investigations aim to fully expose the financial route, handlers, and cross-border operatives linked to the network. (KNC)
