‘J&K editor was among top strategic sources of ISI’

Farooq Ganai, Editor of News Agency of Kashmir, arrested by the special operations group of J&K police for his alleged links with the Pakistan army and the Inter services intelligence (ISI) was bracketed among top level ‘strategic sources’ by the field intelligence unit of the ISI operating from Sialkote in Pakistan.

Ganai, son of a former NC legislator Mohd Akbar Ganai from Dooru during 1983, 1987, was on the pay rolls of ISI for last two years and was regularly sharing details of vital army installations in the region, graphic details of roads and bridges connecting border areas along the vital Jammu-Pathankot national highway.

Ganai enjoyed proximity in the corridors of power in J&K, especially after he was made in-charge of the media cell of the Jammu-based office of the National Conference.

CM Omar Abdullah, who was party chief had personally introduced Farooq Ganai in front of the media persons and handed him the responsibility of NC media cell in the run up to the Assembly polls in 2008.

Highly placed sources in the State Government revealed even before taking action against the editor of the news agency the State policemen, handling the case, had alerted the top political brass to avoid reprimand. Reports suggested Ganai was being tracked by the intelligence agencies for past several months but highest political connections were bothering them and acting as road block. Sustained interrogation of Ganai during the past two days has revealed that he was also feeding details of deployment of army units along the Jammu-Pathankot, Jammu Poonch highway, and key information about the Northern command headquarters in Udhampur to the ISI.

According to rough estimates a fat sum of Rs 7-9 lakh was diverted in the account of Ganai by the ISI for supplying them vital inputs through Hawala transaction.

Official sources said a case under section 3 of Enemy Act, Information technology Act and 120-B RPC has already been registered against Ganai.

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