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Journalism of Courage
J-K police today claimed to have obtained clinching evidence of former Hurriyat chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani’s role as an ISI informant during the Kargil intrusion. ‘‘Classified documents’’ which show the ‘‘area-wise deployment of Army and paramilitary forces’’ were reportedly recovered from residence cum office in Hyderpora.
K. Rajendra, Inspector General of Police (Kashmir Range), said the information provided in the documents match that obtained from the computer of Iftikhar, Geelani’s son-in-law, in Delhi.
The documents, which were obtained by The Indian Express, give information about the deployment of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps and Jammu’s 16 Corps. The document also has details about defence installations in areas like Nagrota, Mamun and Kupwara as well as information about paramilitary forces deployed in the state.
Geelani is reported to have been informing the ISI about troop positions since 1999. ‘‘We are piecing together clues in this direction and are continuing with the raids,’’ said Rajendra.
According to Rajendra, six envelopes containing Rs 5,000 each were also seized. This was apparently meant to be distributed among families of slain militants. Six video cameras and two computers were also recovered from Geelani’s house.
Besides POTA and FEMA, a separate case under the Official Secrets Act is being filed against Geelani. The police have also launched a massive manhunt to nab Asiya Andrabi, chief of the Dukhteran-e-Milat. ‘‘She could also provide leads in the case,’’ said the IG.
Two people, who are expected to provide valuable clues, have been arrested and are being interrogated. According to the IG, the duo are Andrabi’s close associates and worked as computer operators in uptown Jawaharnagar publication house. Information from the computers seized there give details about the transaction of several crores, a list of police officials and PCR cards, some blank Indian identity cards and security device systems.
