Shopian Police Smash Intra-UT Terror Financing Network; 10 Arrested
Shopian Police arrest 10 associates for funding LeT and TRF through suspicious online transactions and public collections.
In a major blow to the financial arteries of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, the Shopian Police have successfully dismantled an intra-Union Territory terror financing module. The operation, announced on Friday, October 30, 2026, resulted in the arrest of 10 alleged terrorist associates who were reportedly fueling clandestine activities within the region.
Tracing the Digital Money Trail
The breakthrough came after a meticulous investigation into suspected financial networks. Law enforcement officials revealed that the key to cracking the module lay in the analysis of suspicious online financial transactions. By scrutinizing various payment platforms, investigators were able to trace complex money trails that had been designed to evade detection.
The probe uncovered a sinister pattern where funds were clandestinely collected from the general public. These resources were then allegedly funneled to provide critical logistical support—including the procurement of smartphones—for the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and its offshoot, The Resistance Front (TRF).
Links to Incarcerated Terrorists
The investigation did not stop at financial transactions. Further findings have linked the arrested suspects to active terrorists and their associates who are currently serving time in various jails, suggesting a coordinated effort to maintain operational capabilities from behind bars.
Authorities have officially registered FIR number 231/2026 at the Shopian Police Station under the relevant legal sections to initiate formal prosecution against the accused.
Who Were the Arrested?
The crackdown spanned across different regions of the Union Territory. Of the 10 individuals taken into custody, eight are residents of the Shopian and Pulwama districts, while two others were traced back to Kathua in the Jammu region.
The arrested suspects have been identified as:
- Owais Shafi Naikoo of Saidpora Bala
- Tajamul Ahmad Shah of Rawalpora
- Moiz Iqbal of Chitragam Kalan
- Imdad Yousuf Ganie of Chitragam Kalan
- Saqib Zahoor Wani of Murran
- Aamir Ahmad Ganie of Armolah
- Firdous Thokar of Nadigund
- Liyaqat Nazir Lone of Murran
- Mohd Hanief of Check Haria
- Kaju of Check Haria
A Broader Strategic Crackdown
Police officials have confirmed that the investigation is still active. Efforts are currently underway to identify further suspects and uncover additional financial links that may extend beyond the current arrests.
This operation aligns with India's intensified national strategy to eradicate terror financing. The urgency of such actions was recently highlighted by Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, who emphasized the priority of eliminating these networks ahead of the upcoming Financial Action Task Force (FATF) proceedings.