Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, July 20: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) today conducted raids at nine places in Kashmir in a case related to supply of pistols which were used for target killings in Kashmir.
The case of recovery of 15 pistols, 30 magazines and 300 rounds from The Resistance Front (TRF) hybrid militant in Chanpora was initially registered (FIR no 31/2022) in Police Station Chanpora and later re-registered by NIA on 18.06.2022 (RC-04/2022/NIA/JMU).
The raids in the case were conducted at 9 locations in Kashmir with 4 in Srinagar district and 5 in Pulwama district.
The NIA said that searches conducted today at the premises of accused and suspects in the case have led to the recovery and seizure of digital devices and other incriminating materials.
On May 24, police in Kashmir seized small weapons which were sent by Pakistan based handlers and were to be used for targeted killings of civilians and security personnel in Srinagar city.
Two hybrid militants of TRF – Aamir Mushtaq Ganai alias Mussa, a resident of Khan Colony Chanpora and Ajlan Altaf Bhat of Butpora Chanpora -were arrested during a cordon and a search operation at Chanpora in Srinagar.
Police recovered incriminating materials, arms and ammunition including 15 pistols, 30 magazines, 300 rounds and a silencer.
As per initial investigations by police, these weapons were sent by Pakistan based handlers of TRF and were sent for targeting killings of civilians and security personnel in Srinagar city.
The NIA investigations will lead to more arrests and sources said that the duo had already distributed pistols to some of the hybrid militants in Srinagar.
An official said that there were several modules in Srinagar and other parts of the Valley who were provided pistols by their handlers from across in Pakistan. Several couriers were used to distribute these pistols and Gania and Bhat were also distributing the pistols to the TRF associates at the behest of Pakistani handlers.
He said that these hybrid militants were tasked to carry out target killings in Kashmir. Militants this year carried out at least 17 target killing including half a dozen Hindus in Kashmir using pistols. The killing led to fleeing of hundreds of Pandit employees who were employed here under Prime Minister’s Employment Package for the Pandits to lure them to Valley.
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