Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, July 14: Police has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe attack on Amarnath pilgrims in Anantnag and a militant has been arrested from North Kashmir while driver of a legislator of ruling People’s Democratic Party has been arrested for militant links.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, Munir Ahmad Khan, told Excelsior that the SIT will be headed by Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of South Kashmir Range SP Pani. “The SIT has been constituted to expedite the probe and investigate all the pros and cons. The probe involves foreign militants so it will take some time,” he said. Asked whether anyone has been detained so far, the IGP said: “As of now, I cannot divulge any details with regard to the probe.”
Police have named LeT commander Abu Ismail as prime suspect in the attack on Amarnath Yatra bus that left seven pilgrims dead and 19 others injured early this week. The SIT will probe all the angles of the case.
Security forces have already launched massive operation against the militants of LeT responsible for the attack. The security forces today launched a cordon and search operation at Botengoo where the militants first targeted police before firing at Amarnath Yatra bus and at General Bus Stand in Anantnag town.
Meanwhile, a Lashkar-e-Toiba militant was today arrested by security forces in Sumbal area of Bandipora district. A police official said that acting on specific information regarding the movement of militants in Markundal-Pushwari area, a joint ambush was laid in the orchards by police, Army’s 13 Rashtriya Rifles and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) this morning at around 6 am.
He said during the ambush, suspicious movement of a person was noticed in the area and he was challenged to stop but he tried to run away from the spot. “He was, however, overpowered by the alert security forces and apprehended subsequently,” the official said, adding that later on during investigation he identified himself as Shahbaz Rasool Mir of Mir Mohalla Hajin of the Bandipora district.
The police official said that Shahbaz was a recent militant recruit and he had joined the LeT few months ago. From his possession, he said, police recovered a Chinese pistol, one pistol magazine, four pistol rounds, one grenade and a knife. A case under FIR number 83/2017 under Section 7/25 Arms Act has been registered and further investigation initiated, the official added.
And Police have detained driver of ruling People’s Democratic Party MLA Aijaz Ahmad Mir for his alleged links with the militants.
Sources said that Touseef Ahmad was picked up by police for questioning following inputs that he is in touch with the militants.
Touseef, a resident of Chokura Pulwama, had been deputed as driver with the MLA early this year from Security wing of J&K Police. Police has arrested two more persons along with Touseef for their links with militants.
Sources said that Touseef has worked with the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police in the past and is accused of supplying ammunition and facilitating militant movement.
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