The Jammu Kashmir Police on Sunday said that the villagers Tuksan in Reasi apprehended two militants in the Jammu area and handed them over to Police.
One of the arrested identified as Talib Hussain is allegedly associated with the Bhartiya Janta Party, however, the party has not responded to the allegations as of yet.
Several social media users took to Twitter alleging that Talib was associated the Bhartiya Janta Party.
Meanwhile, Bilal Rashid of the Indian National Congress took to Twitter saying, “J&K Police today arrested BJP leader Talib Hussain from Reasi district. He turns out to be LeT Commander of Peer Panjal area He is the mastermind of recent blast cases in Kotranka tehsil of Rajouri This exposes BJP’s link with terrorists.”
J&K Police today arrested BJP leader Talib Hussain from Reasi district.
He turns out to be LeT Commander of Peer Panjal area
He is mastermind of recent blast cases in Kotranka tehsil of RajouriThis exposes BJP's link with terrorists.#BJPWithTerrorists . pic.twitter.com/4vqGMs2780
— Bilal Rashid (@BilalRashid__) July 3, 2022
In a series of tweets, the official handle of ADGP Jammu wrote, “Hats off to the courage of villagers of Tuksan, in Reasi district. Two militants of LeT were apprehended by villagers with weapons; 2AK rifles, 7 Grenades and a Pistol. DGP announces a reward of Rs 2 lakhs for villagers,”.
The Police identified the duo as Faizal Ahmed Dar son Bashir Ahmed Dar, a resident of Pulwama and a categorized terrorist and Talib Hussain S/O Haider Shah R/O Rajouri.
“In recent past it’s been observed LeT is trying to revive militant activities in Chenab valley & Rajouri-Poonch area, managed to revive some workers. In this, 2 modules had been created,” Mukesh Singh, ADGP, Jammu said. He said that Talib was responsible for Udhampur blast busted a month back & 2nd for blasts at Rajouri dist, busted about 10 days back. But main militant Talib Hussain was absconding. We were after him & local villagers helped us nab these 2 militants.
Pertinently, Last week, Jammu Kashmir Police said it solved the twin blast cases in the Rajouri district.
Two of the accused have been arrested, Jammu Kashmir Police had said, adding, “The third accused Talib Shah, a resident of Draaj is absconding.”
Kotranka town in Rajouri was rocked by twin blasts on 26 March 2022 and 19 April 2022 in which two persons were injured after which Jammu Kashmir Police registered an FIR number 25/2022 under sections 120-B, 121-A, 122 IPC ¾ Explosives substances Act and 16/18 ULA(P) Act and FIR 33/2022 U/S 120-B, 121-A, 122,307 IPC ¾ Explosives substances Act and 16/18 ULA(P) Act at Police Station.
Another blast took place in Shahpur, Budhal on 24/04/2022 in which two more persons sustained injuries.
In this regard, FIR No. 31/2022 u/s 307,120-B,121-A,122 IPC ¾ Explosives substances Act and 16/18 ULA(P) Act was registered at PS Budhal.
In its press release, the Jammu Kashmir Police said that it worked on leads, and then the joint teams of Rajouri Police and 60RR (14 Sector) conducted multiple raids and search ops at various locations including Larkoti, Targain, Jaglanoo and Draaj areas of District Rajouri during which two suspects namely namely Mohammed Shabir and Mohammed Sadiq, resident of Draaj, Budhal who were involved in these incidents.
During the course of investigation, Police said, it has come to fore that third accused namely Talib Shah son of Haider Shah was also involved in the blasts.
“These individuals, working on the directions of their Pakistan based handlers received weapons, ammunition, explosives and later used these IED’s to trigger blasts,” the press release read.
The group according to Police is headed by Talib Hussain Shah, who had collected three consignments of arms, ammunition, explosives from Lamberi-Kalakote area in the months of January, March and April , 2022.
“Two accused namely Mohammed Shabir and Mohammed Sadiq have been arrested, while the third accused Talib Shah is absconding,” Police said.
Talib shah is the commander of LeT in general area Rajouri. He is the mastermind of all terrorist activities in Pirpanjal area. He has also motivated many youth for carrying out militancy activities in Rajouri, Police said.
Pertinently, Talib Hussain Shah who is an affiliate of the Bhartiya Janta Party was recently promoted as the new social media in-charge of the party’s Minority Morcha for Jammu province.
The letter accessed by The Kashmiriyat is dated 09 May, 2022, one month after the occurrence of the blasts in Rajouri. “Mr.Sartaj Majeed is relieved from the party post/ Responsibilities including the post of IT & Social Media Incharge BJP Minority Morcha,J&K because he is not full fill BJP Minority Morcha, responsibilities from his post, and relieved with immediate effect. Er. Sajad Mushtaq Reshi Media Incharge, BJP Minority Morcha J&K shall be additional Charge J&K IT & Social Media Incharge BJP Minority Morcha Jammu & Kashmir with immediate effect. Mr.Wasim Mushtaq, at Bemina Srinagar, shall be the new IT & Social Media Incharge BJP Minority Morcha for Kashmir Province with immediate effect. Mr. Talib Hussain Shah, at Draj kot ranka, budhan, District Rajouri, shall be the new IT & Social Media Incharge BJP Minority Morcha Jammu Province with immediate effect.” the letter reads.
“Shabir and Sadiq were also motivated by Talib to conduct militancy activities. Talib has remained instrumental in almost all militant incidents in Peerpanjal districts in last 2/3 years. It has also come to fore that this group was also sheltering a few Kashmir based active militancy of LET outfit in general area Kandi-Budhal and were making efforts to revive militancy in Peer Panjal Districts,” Police said.
The Jammu Kashmir Police has called it a “big achievement” for Government forces. “The arrest of 2 associates of Talib is a big blow to the militant outfit Lashkar e Taiba,” Police said.
During preliminary questioning, the arrested accused disclosed that they had hidden some explosive materials at Jungle in Draaj area.
During searches of the area conducted by Police and 60 RR, IEDs, Remote controls, Power source (cell) 19, Cover/wrap 01, Cloth piece 01, and Fuse were recovered from the possession of the duo.
The accused are also suspected to be involved in some more criminal, subversive activities for which they are being subjected to sustained interrogation. Arrest of Talib is very crucial in solving many militancy, criminal cases that have occurred during past few years in Pirpanjal area, Police said.
Sufi Alam Din, the local Sarpanch of Draj village in Rajouri spoke to The Kashmiriyat and confirmed that Talib Shah, a resident of of the same village. “He had been associated with BJP for several times. He was recently promoted in the BJP,” Sufi Alam, who is an Apni Party Sarpanch said.
The Kashmiriyat contacted the BJPs Jammu unit who feigned ignorance on the issue and asked us to call the Rajouri unit. “We do not have any information on this individual. You must speak to Sheikh Bashir who has issued the letter,” Rajinder Gupta, BJPs Rajouri district president said.
Sheikh Bashir did not respond to our calls despite several attempts from various numbers. The Kashmiriyat also tried to contact BJP’s Kashmir spokesman, Altaf Tahkur, who did not respond too.
However, a report by Tribune quoted BJP Minority Morcha president Sheikh Bashir claiming that Talib Hussain had resigned two months ago. “He was working with the BJP for a long time but had resigned himself two months ago,” Bashir told the newspaper.
Talib Shah BJP Leader who turned out to be LET Commander of Peer Panjaal with Honorable Home Minister of India Shri Amit Shah.
Isn't it breach of National Security. @OfficeOfLGJandK pic.twitter.com/x6bAPYe5mm— Syed Zeshan (@Zeshansyed05) July 3, 2022
“I salute the bravery of villagers of Tukson Dhok, Reasi, who apprehended two most-wanted militants. Such determination by common man shows end of #militant is not far away. UT Govt to extend Rs. 5 Lakh cash reward to villagers for gallant act against terrorists and militancy,” LG Manoj Sinha said.
The Story will be updated, if BJP responds.