Dr Ayyub Thakur, London-based Kashmiri separatist, who is accused of funding terrorism in J-K through his charitable organisation, Mercy Universal, died here on Wednesday morning after a protracted illness. The nuclear physicist, whose Indian passport was impounded in 1986, was suffering from pulmonary fibrosis. The 55-year old Thakur, president of the World Kashmir Freedom Movement, is survived by his widow and three children. British officials had begun an investigation into the activities of Thakur who is alleged to have sent nearly £ 70,000 to Syed Salahuddin, the commander of Hizbul Mujahideen. The money is alleged to have been passed on to the outfit through Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani. Meanwhile, Hurriyat Conference demanded that Thakur be buried in Kashmir Valley. ‘‘This was his last wish” senior Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umer Farooq said. —(PTI)
