Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Mar 18: Police today arrested fifth person in the Bemina Fidayeen attack case in which 5 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed and 10 others were injured last week, highly placed sources said here.
Two Fidayeen, both Pakistani nationals who had infiltrated recently into Kashmir were also killed in the attack during operation.
The Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police this afternoon arrested Merajudin Kawa son of Ghulam Ahmad Kawa of New Colony Babdemb.
Sources said that Kawa, an auto driver by profession, has no militancy connection. But of late police got input about him regarding militancy connections. He was picked up by police 3 months ago. However, he was let off by police.
Kawa’s level of involvement in Bemina Fidayeen attack is not known yet but sources say that he might have helped in logistics. However, his relatives and neighbours held a protest demonstration at Babdemb this afternoon. They said he is innocent and has no militant connection.
The first person who was arrested in Bemina Fidayeen attack case was Bashir Ahmad Mir of Uri. He was arrested from Srinagar, the day Fidayeen attack took place. His arrest led to the capture of Mohammad Zubair alias Abu Talha, a Pakistani militant from Rampur Chattabal, a day after the attack.
Later police in a raid in Chattabal area recovered an AK-rifle and ammunition including a magnetic mine from the area. The mine is said to be latest and most dangerous weapon the militant weaponry.
Police also arrested Pardeep Singh of Kansipora Baramulla, an employee of Health Department posted in Tangmarg. He faces charges of giving shelter to the Fidayeen in his official residence at Tangmarg. Pardeep was already on security forces radar as they were getting input about his link with militants.
Police had also detained a relative of Bashir Ahmad. All of them are being questioned and their role in helping the Fidayeen to carry out the attack is being investigated.
In the meantime, sources said that Pakistani militant Abu Talha is critically ill for the past three days. Sources said that he was already unwell at the time of his arrest. The investigators are not giving access to any investigating agency to question him because of his illness.
Sources said that security forces operation against the two accomplices of dead Fidayeen is going on. Security forces have inputs that these two Pakistani nationals, Chota Huraira and Abu Saad are still in the outskirts of Srinagar and are planning an attack on security forces.
Sources said that the two more militants, mostly probably locals including Hilal Molvi of Palhalan Pattan, have also joined the duo. Security forces are on high alert to counter any possible militant strike in Srinagar.
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