Jammu and Kashmir police on Tuesday claimed to have solved blast cases in Kotranka and Budhal areas of Rajouri that took place in the month of March and April this year, injuring at least four persons.
According to a statement, issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), police said that two suspects, involved in these cases, have been arrested while the mastermind behind these blasts is on the run.
The statement reads that Kotranka town was rocked by twin blasts on March 26 and another blast took place on April 19 in which a total of 2 people were injured.
“In this regard, FIR No. 25/2022 U/S 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 stand registered at PS Kandi,” it reads.
It added that another blast took place in Shahpur, Budhal on April 24 in which 2 more persons were injured. “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.”
It reads that working on leads, joint teams of Rajouri Police and 60RR (14 Sector) conducted multiple raids and search ops at various locations in Larkoti, Targain, Jaglanoo & Draaj areas of Rajouri and apprehended two suspects namely Mohd Shabir son of Ghulam Hussain and Mohd Sadiq son of Ibrahim—both residents of Draaj, Budhal, who were involved in these incidents.
It added that during the investigation, it has come to fore that 3 accused namely Talib Shah son of Haider Shah, Mohd Shabir son of Ghulam Hussain, and Mohd Sadiq son of Ibrahim—all residents of Draaj, Budhal were involved in these incidents of blasts.
“These individuals, working on the directions of their Pak-based handlers received weapons, ammunition, and explosives and later used these IEDs to trigger blasts. It has surfaced during a preliminary investigation that this group is headed by Talib Hussain Shah, who had collected three consignments of arms, ammunition, and explosives from the Lambehri-Kalakote area in the months of January, March, and April this year.”
The statement reads that two accused namely Mohd Shabir and Mohd Sadiq have been arrested and the third accused Talib Shah is absconding. “Talib is the commander of LeT in general area Rajouri. He is the mastermind of all militant activities in Pir Panjal area.”
It added that he has also motivated several youths for carrying out terror activities in Rajouri. “Shabir and Sadiq were also motivated by Talib to conduct militant activities. Talib has remained instrumental in almost all incidents in Pir Panjal districts in last 2-3 years.”
It further reads that it has also come to fore that this group was also sheltering a few Kashmir-based active militants of the LeT outfit in the general area of Kandi-Budhal and were making efforts to revive militancy in Pir Panjal districts.
“This is a big achievement for J&K Police, SFs as the blasts had triggered panic in the area and these accused were also planning more such incidents to target SFs. The arrest of 2 associates of Talib is a big blow to LeT,” it reads.
The statement reads that during preliminary questioning, the arrested accused disclosed that they had hidden some explosive materials in the forest area in Draaj area.
“During searches of the area conducted by Police and 60 RR, 05 IEDs, 05 Remote control, 19 Power source (cell) 19, Cover/wrap, Cloth piece, and 10 Fuse were recovered.”
It added that 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 Pir Panjal area,” it added—(KNO)