New Delhi: National Investigation Agency (NIA) has issued a final notice to Hurriyat chairperson Mirwaiz Umar Farooq in the alleged terror funding case. According to sources, this time the NIA has asked him to join an investigation on April 18 at its office in New Delhi.

Earlier in March, the NIA had issued summons, but Farooq, through his lawyers, had refused to come, citing security reasons.

"Under the prevailing conditions of hostility and threat to Mirwaiz, it becomes unwise for him to travel to Delhi. Mirwaiz was willing to cooperate with the NIA in Srinagar. Unsubstantiated attempts are being made to link Mirwaiz in false and fabricated ‘terror funding’ cases.

"It is aimed at silencing him through intimidation and harassment. He is being victimised for his political views to see a resolution of the Kashmir issue through peaceful means,” Farooq said through his lawyer in his reply to the earlier notice.

This time if he does not turn up for the investigation, a warrant might be issued against him. The NIA has received crucial information about links of Farooq with terror outfits, sources claimed. According to the NIA's summons which were sent earlier, the investigation agency said, “You are acquainted with the circumstances of a case under investigation. You are required to report before the NIA at 10.30 am on March 11 for examination.”

The NIA in February had carried out searches at various locations in Srinagar in connection with the probe into terror funding. These included the houses of separatists such as Yasin Malik, Shabbir Shah, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Mohammad Ashraf Khan, Masarat Alam, Zaffar Akbar Bhat and Syed Ali Shah Geelani’s son Naseem Geelani. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and local police had cordoned off the premises before the NIA raids.

Also read: Terror funding: NIA to grill separatists Mirwaiz, Geelani in Delhi

“During the searches, NIA teams recovered incriminating documents including property papers, financial transaction receipts and bank account details. Electronic devices including laptops, e-tablets, mobile phones, pen drives and communication system were also seized. 

Significantly, letterheads of different terrorist organisations, as well as documents relating to recommendations for the visa for admission in Pakistani education institutions were found. A high-tech internet communication set up was also recovered from the residence of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq," the NIA said in a statement.