Srinagar, August 03: SIA of J&K Police today conducted searches at multiple locations spread across J&K. House premises of suspects in Mendhar, Poonch, Baramulla, Kupwara and Handwara were searched in connection with investigation of case FIR No.12/22 U/S 18, 38, 39 UA (P) Act, 120-B, 121,121-A IPC registered in Counter Intelligence Police Station in Srinagar.

The case pertains to terror financing via Bitcoin trade. Details that are being investigated into at the initial stage include a mastermind in Pakistan who with active support of Pakistani intelligence agencies and in connivance with proscribed terrorist organization(s) based in Pakistan has been pumping slush money to their agents in J&K for further distribution among terrorist organisation(s), secessionist(s) for fueling mass violence and terrorist activities in J&K. The Pakistani mastermind has been comprehensively identified. His particulars, however, is being kept confidential because other agents connected with him are not alerted.

Houses of following were searched today on

i) Ms. Zahida Bano D/O Mutwali Pathan / Khan R/O Hajinaka Manigah Hyhama, Kupwara

ii) Gh. Mujataba Deedad S/O Gh.Nabi Deedad R/O Lone Hari, Kupwara, iii) Tamjeeda Begum W/O Javid Ahmad Chachi R/O Satkoji Rajwara, Handwara iv) Yasir Ahmad Mir S/O Shamas-ud-Din Mir R/O Dewan Bagh Baramulla v)

Mohammad Sayed Masoodi S/O Sharief ud-Din R/O Trajpora, Baramulla vi) Farooq Ahmad R/O Gagrian, Mandi Poonch vii) Imran Chowdhary R/O Dharana Mendhar

Preliminary investigation revealed evidence that the dirty money originating from Pakistan has reached these persons. The transfer of money has been layered to prevent backward tracing of its origin, the investigation has revealed. While several accounts-in-the-middle that have been used to layer the money are outside J&K, the effective whitewashing of the Pakistani money has taken place through exploitation of loopholes international bitcoin trade.

During searches conducted today, incriminating material believed to be hidden in digital devices, SIM cards, Mobile Phones and documents, having a bearing on the investigation have been recovered and seized.

Analysis of the data and questioning of suspects would follow and leads that would emerge would become the basis of further investigation.