PDP youth leader Para granted bail in terror case

Jammu, January 9

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) youth wing president Waheed Para was on Saturday granted bail by a National Investigation Agency (NIA) court here after remaining in custody for one and a half months for his alleged links with terrorists of the Hizbul Mujahideen.

Para, who won the recent District Development Council elections from his hometown Pulwama, was produced in the NIA court, which granted him the relief on a surety of Rs 1 lakh.

He was arrested by the national agency on November 25, a few days after filing nomination papers as a People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration candidate.

The NIA had said Para was arrested in connection with the Naveed Babu-Davinder Singh case for supporting the Hizbul Mujahideen in conspiracy with the other accused, a charge denied by the PDP, which had termed his arrest “politically motivated”.

Para was considered a key motivator for youth to join the mainstream politics in Pulwama and adjoining Shopian district of south Kashmir when militancy was raising its head there again.

As the secretary of the J&K Sports Council from 2016 to 2018, Para played a major role in organising sporting events in nook and corner of the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state, which included the Ladakh region. — PTI