Pulwama House Forfeited as JeM Terror Hideout by NIA Court | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: A residential property in Pulwama connected to the February 2019 Pulwama IED attack has been formally forfeited by the Designated Special Court under the NIA Act, Jammu, which declared the premises “proceeds of terrorism,” according to a report in the Daily Excelsior.

The Hakripora house in Kakpora tehsil, measuring 9.5 marlas and registered to Naseema Bano, wife of accused Peer Tariq Ahmed Shah, was reportedly used as a hideout and planning base by Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) operatives involved in the attack that killed 40 CRPF personnel. The court barred any transfer or third-party interest in the property under Sections 25-26 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

Presiding Judge Sandeep Gandotra allowed an application by NIA’s Chief Investigating Officer, Rajiv Om Parkash Pande, following evidence that JeM terrorists Muhammad Umar Farooq, Sameer Ahmed Dar, and Adil Ahmed Dar used the house before and after the convoy bombing, with household members allegedly sheltering the operatives. The court noted that ownership by the principal accused is not required for forfeiture if the property facilitated terrorism.

The NIA, represented by Special Public Prosecutor KS Pathania, had filed the application after Naseema Bano failed to appear in court. Advocate Syed Azad Andrabi initially filed objections but later clarified he was not representing Bano, leading to ex-parte proceedings.

The case originates from FIR No. 20/2019 (Awantipora), re-registered as RC-02/2019/NIA/JMU on February 20, 2019. The property was attached on March 16, 2021, with the Designated Authority confirming the attachment on May 13, 2021. Bano’s appeal was dismissed on August 31, 2022. The court has directed the Deputy Commissioner, Pulwama, to ensure compliance until the conclusion of the main NIA trial.