Srinagar, Oct 30 (HS): J&K Police on Friday said they had busted an intra-UT terror financing module in Shopian and arrested 10 people in connection with it, describing the case as a breakthrough against the terror ecosystem.

According to a police statement, the case came out of an investigation into suspected financial networks linked to terrorist activities. Investigators analysed suspicious online transactions made through various payment platforms and traced the money trail across multiple layers, the statement said. The probe, it said, revealed a wider network of people allegedly involved in terror financing, who had links with terrorists and their associates lodged in different jails.

A case under FIR number 231/2026 has been registered at Police Station Shopian under the relevant sections of law, police said. The statement named the arrested persons as Owais Shafi Naikoo of Saidpora Bala, Shopian; Tajamul Ahmad Shah of Rawalpora, Shopian; Moiz Iqbal of Chitragam Kalan; Imdad Yousuf Ganie of Chitragam Kalan; Saqib Zahoor Wani of Murran, Pulwama; Aamir Ahmad Ganie of Armolah, Pulwama; Firdous Thokar of Nadigund, Trenz; Liyaqat Nazir Lone of Murran, Pulwama; and Mohammad Hanief and Kaju, both of Check Haria in Kathua.

Police said the preliminary investigation showed that the accused were clandestinely collecting funds from the general public and channelling the money through established financial links to facilitate the activities of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and The Resistance Front (TRF). The funds were also allegedly used to provide logistical support, including smartphones, for terrorist activities, the statement said.

Further investigation is underway to ascertain the wider network, establish additional financial links and identify others involved in the module, police said, adding that more arrests are expected.

The statement said the operation reflects the continued commitment of the J&K Police, in coordination with other security agencies, to dismantle terror-support networks, disrupt unlawful financial channels and safeguard peace and security across the Union Territory.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Zahoor Hussain Bhat