A special court in Jammu has declared Pakistan-based Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Mushtaq Ahmad Mir a proclaimed offender in a terror-funding case linked to the banned Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir and Al-Huda Educational Trust (AHET).

Mir, a native of Thanamang village in Rajouri district’s Darhal, crossed the Line of Control (LoC) in 1995-96 to join terrorist ranks. Authorities said he is currently operating from Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).

Special Judge Prem Sagar of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) court passed the order on an application filed by the agency under Section 84 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The court noted that Mir had neither surrendered nor appeared despite the issuance of non-bailable warrants and the publication of notices in newspapers. With no immediate prospect of his arrest, the court declared him a proclaimed offender.

The NIA registered the case on September 3, 2022, to investigate suspicious activities of AHET after Jamaat-e-Islami J&K was declared an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in February 2019.

According to the NIA, Jamaat-e-Islami continued its secessionist activities through front organisations, including AHET. The agency alleged that the Rajouri-based trust was established by the group to mobilise funds for its anti-India agenda.

The NIA’s chargesheet named four accused. Investigations revealed that one of them, Shamsi, who handled AHET’s day-to-day operations, collected money through educational and religious donations. He also received funds through hawala channels from Pakistan.

According to the prosecution, Mir transferred money to Shamsi through hawala networks. The funds were allegedly used to organise propaganda meetings aimed at motivating young people to participate in secessionist and terrorist activities.