Cross LoC Trade: NIA conducts searches at Baramulla, Handwara

SRINAGAR — National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday conducted searches at Baramulla and Handwara in connection with a case related to the Cross Line of Control (LoC) trade.

According to a statement, NIA conducted searches at three locations in district Baramulla and one location in Police District Handwara in connection with case RC-17/2016/NIA/DLI at the premises of suspected cross LoC traders and connected persons.

The statement reads that the “case pertains to the generation of additional profits through the cross LoC trade mechanism between J&K and PoK and using funds so generated for fomenting terrorist activities in Jammu & Kashmir.”

“The said trade was started in the year 2008 via two Trade Facilitation Centres (TFCs) located at Salamabad, Uri in Baramulla district and Chakan-da-Bagh in Poonch district. The trade has been suspended since the month of April 2019,” it reads.

The statement reads that the case was registered suo-moto by NIA on 16-12-2016. “During the searches conducted today, digital devices along with incriminating documents have been seized. Further investigation in the case continues,” it added.