Terror funding in Kashmir: Who is Devinder Singh Behal?

Jammu: The National Investigation Agency on Sunday widened its investigation in the terror funding case by searching the office and residence of a lawyer linked to hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

Four mobile phones, a tablet, some electronic devices, incriminating documents and financial documents were recovered during the search operations at Devinder Singh Behal's Jammu residence and office.

Know more about Devinder Singh Behal:

- Devinder Singh Behal is considered close to Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

- Behal is the chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Social Peace Forum (JKSPF), which is a constituent of the hardline faction of the Hurriyat Conference led by Geelani.

- The NIA is probing Behal's role "as a courier as he is suspected to be involved in routing funds to the separatist leaders from Pakistan-based handlers".

- Behal regularly visits High Commission of Pakistan in New Delhi.

- He is regularly seen at funerals of slain militants.

The NIA had registered the case on May 30, accusing separatist and secessionist leaders of being in cahoots with terrorist groups.

The case was registered over raising, receiving and collecting funds through various illegal means, including through hawala channels, for funding separatist and terrorist activities in the state and for causing disruption in the Valley by pelting security forces with stones, burning schools, damaging public property and waging war against India.

The NIA conducted searches in several places in the state besides Haryana and the national capital. Electronic devices and valuables worth crores of rupees were impounded.

It is for the first time since the rise of militancy in the early 1990s that a central probe agency has conducted raids in connection with the funding of terrorist and separatist groups.