Amarnath
yatra attack fully solved Excelsior Correspondent
Of five arrested, three were residents of Talab Khatikan locality in the City while two others hailed from Doda district but presently putting up at Bhatindi and Gujjar Nagar localities. Arrested Lashkar activists, who were produced before newsmen at a press conference this evening, have been identified as Imran Qazi son of a Muslim Federation leader Talat Niaz Qazi, Faisal Muneer son of Mohd Sadiq and Asad Ullah Malik alias Nitu son of Mohd Shaffi Malik, all residents of Talab Khatikan, Tariq Ahmed son of Ghulam Mohd, a resident of Ward No. 9, Kishtwar, presently putting up in Bhatindi and Bashir Ahmed son of Shamas Din of Nalti, Bhaderwah, now living at Gujjar Nagar. Addressing the press conference, IGP Jammu range R V Raju and DIG Jammu-Kathua zone Dr S P Vaid said the SOG team was constantly following several leads following attack on Amarnath yatris at Hari Singh higher secondary school by a ‘Fidayeen’ (a suicide squad of LeT). However, an alert Sub Inspector and a cop had gunned down the Fidayeen and thwarted his attempt to kill the pilgrims. The exact identity of ‘Fidayeen’ has now been established as Abid alias Burzug, a Pakistani. An identity card of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) was recovered from his possession when he was killed by police on the spot. Raju said police from the very outset was of the view that a single militant wouldn’t have been able to carry out strike in the heart of the City and that some local contacts had definitely helped him in executing the task. "At that time we told newsmen that the militant was alone to ensure that his contacts are kept in dark", Raju told a questioner. Initially, he said, SOG sleuths led by SP (Operations) Jammu Sheikh Mehmood under the supervision of DIG Jammu arrested Tariq Ahmed from Bhatindi and subjected him to sustained interrogation. He made some sensational disclosures during the questioning, which unfolded the incidents leading to attack on Amarnath yatris. According to the story, the LeT militants operating in Kashmir valley and Doda district initially motivated Tariq Ahmed, a surrendered ultra and re-cycled him into militancy. Tariq then motivated another militant Bashir Ahmed in the house of his in-laws at Gujjar Nagar and asked him to carry out an attack on Amarnath pilgrims. The duo created their three local contacts, now in SOG custody, and roped them in militancy. Through a courier, the militants received a consignment of grenades from Srinagar and then all five militants carried out a dry rehearsal of throwing grenades on the pilgrims in front of MA stadium, the main transit camp of yatris, from Fly Over. However, a police handout issued in the press conference said, the militants received instruction from Srinagar to with-hold the action as a ‘Fidayeen’ Abid alias Burzug was being deputed to Jammu to carry out the strike. Abid was subsequently received by these militants and given shelter by Bashir Ahmed and Faisal Muneer where all of them hatched a conspiracy to attack the pilgrims at stadium. By then, the group was in possession of one rifle, 10 grenades and 10 magazines, which were kept in the house of Faisal Muneer. However, the militants revealed during interrogation, that during rehearsal they found it difficult to carry the rifle into MA stadium in view of tight security arrangements made by police and para-military personnel. Later, they decided to carry out the attack at Hari Singh high school. The place was surveyed by the group twice and an elaborate plan was made for ensuring safe escape of Abid after the attack. As per the plan, Imran was asked to arrange a scooter, which he borrowed from one of his friend Harish Gupta of Kanak Mandi. Then Faisal and Imran purchased a cricket bag in which the gun was fixed. Faisal and Imran took Abid on the fateful day from Talab Khatikan to Jogi Gate. Their plan was to receive Abid near Prem Tent House after the attack. Abid had planned to throw grenades, fire at the pilgrims and throw the rifle before reaching to waiting Faisal through Christian Colony. Then he was to be taken to Panjtirthi where Tariq had to take him further to Bhatindi and hide him. However, after throwing grenades and firing on the pilgrims, Abid was gunned down by an alert SI and a cop. Realising that Abid was killed, Faisal and Imran has escaped from the spot. Replying to a question about the significance of son of a prominent Muslim leader, Raju virtually evaded the reply saying ‘everyone has a father. He said the police has received fullest support of Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah and other authorities in curbing the militancy in Jammu. |
JAMMU, Nov 9: The Special Operations Group (SOG) of
Jammu Police have arrested five local contacts of
Lashkar-e-Toiba including son of a prominent Muslim
Federation leader and a politician and completely worked
out the militants’ attack on Amarnath yatra pilgrims
at Hari Singh higher secondary school on August 1 morning
this year.