In a significant development in the 2019 Pulwama terror attack case, a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Jammu has ordered the seizure of a residential house that was allegedly used as a hideout and planning base by the perpetrators. The property, located in Kakpora, Pulwama, has been officially declared as "proceeds of terrorism" under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
The Court's Landmark Ruling
Presiding Judge Sandeep Gandotra issued the ex-parte forfeiture order on Monday after the property owner, Naseema Bano, failed to appear before the court. The ruling came on an application moved by the NIA, which sought the seizure of the house spread over 9.5 marlas (approximately 2600 square feet). The court explicitly barred any transfer or third-party interest in the asset until the culmination of the main NIA trial.
Property's Role in the Pulwama Attack
Investigations revealed that the house, registered in the name of Naseema Bano who is the wife of accused Peer Tariq Ahmed Shah, played a crucial role in the deadly attack. Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists used this property both before and after bombing the CRPF convoy on February 14, 2019. The probe established that household members allegedly provided shelter to the operatives involved in planning and executing the attack that claimed the lives of 40 CRPF personnel.
Legal Proceedings and Future Implications
The court invoked Sections 25–26 of the UAPA to declare the property as proceeds of terrorism, marking a crucial step in the legal battle against terror financing. The NIA has named 19 persons, including Pakistani nationals and Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar, in its comprehensive 13,500-page charge sheet. This forfeiture represents a key milestone in dismantling the infrastructure that supported one of the deadliest attacks on Indian security forces in recent history.
