Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 16: Police today said that it averted a major attack ahead of Republic Day by busting a module of Jaish-e-Mohammad outfit in Srinagar and arresting five of its operatives.
They said that in a major success, the Srinagar Police busted JeM module and recovered huge quantity of explosives from them. They were attempting to carry out major attack ahead of Republic Day.
Deputy Inspector General of Police, VK Birdi told a news conference that five persons involved in grenade attacks were arrested and they were planning further attacks ahead of Republic day.
He added that after two grenade lobbying incidents on 26th of November and January 8 in Hazratbal area, an investigation was started by the police which initially led to the identification of two of them. “They came on a two wheeler and lobbed a grenade. Their intention was to disturb the normal life,” he said.
Birdi said that searches and raids were conducted at various places and on their revelations. explosives, detonators, body waists, sharpenels, ball rings and bearings were recovered. “From the recovery, it seems they were planning big attacks including IEDs,” he added.
While giving details, he said that on 8th January at around 13:10 hours, a grenade explosion took place near Habbak crossing in Srinagar, resulting into minor injuries to few civilians, following which, FIR (02/2020 under Sections 307, IPC and 3/4 Explosives Act) was registered at PS Nigeen, and investigation was set into motion.
“During investigation, two suspected persons Aijaz Ahmad Sheikh, resident of Hazratbal, driver by profession and Umar Hameed Sheikh, resident of Hazratbal, a street vendor were arrested.
He said that during questioning, they admitted their role in the grenade attack, as well as provided leads for a similar attack, which had taken place near Sir Syed Gate, Kashmir University, on 26th November, 2019, for which, FIR Number 109/2019 under Sections 307 IPC and 3/4 Explosives Act was registered.
“During investigation, more raids were conducted and three more persons were apprehended, who, on sustained interrogation revealed their role in the November attack as well. They are Imtiyaz Ahmed Chikla, alias Imran, resident of Hazratbal, Sports shop owner, Sahil Farooq Gojri, resident of Soura, doing private job and Naseer Ahmad Mir, resident of Hazratbal, a businessman by occupation”, he said.
He said that investigation so far revealed their motives to enforce shut down and paralyze normal life activities in Srinagar City and further plans to execute sensational incidents like terror attack and causing IED explosion. “Further investigation is underway to unearth further module and conspiracy”, he added.
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