IGP Vijay Kumar | KO File Photo
2 OGWs Arrested, Lashkar Commander On The Run: IGP
Srinagar: Police on Friday claimed to have achieved a major breakthrough in Thursday’s militant attack on paramilitary CRPF in Lawaypora area of the city outskirts by arresting two alleged over-ground workers of Lashker-e-Taiba within 24 hours of the attack.
Two CRPF personnel—a sub-Inspector and a constable (driver) of CRPF’s 73 battalion— were killed and as many others were injured, one of them grievously, in a broad daylight attack at around 3:45 hours on Thursday last.
“Yesterday, a very sad (militant) incident took place in which two of our colleagues were killed while two others were injured. Srinagar and Bandipora police by working the entire night in the lab solved the case,” Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Zone, Vijay Kumar told reporters on the sidelines of the wreath laying ceremony of the two CRPF men here.
“Nadeem Abrar Bhat alias Abu Brar of Narbal who is LeT commander, dropped in at the house of one of his relatives, Muzaffar Ahmad Mir at Maloora Mujgund and asked him to give him two OGWs as he wants to carry out an attack,” the IGP said, adding, “Muzaffar then asked one Javaid Ahmad Sheikh, who deals in timber with him, and later both met Nadeem.”
Three together—Nadeem, Muzaffar and Javaid—on March 24 carried a recce of the area and in the second half of March 25 carried out the attack, he said.
“Through our sources, Bandipora police arrested Javaid in a car and on searching the vehicle some empty rounds were found,” the top police officer said as per GNS, adding, “Upon interrogation, he revealed the entire story.”
Later, he said, Muzaffar was also arrested and his car (HR10Q-6583) used in the incident was seized.
“Both OGWs have been arrested while Brar along with two foreigners will be tracked soon,” he said, adding, “Already police, along with army and CRPF carried out the operations at two places.
Incidentally, he had escaped from the hideouts as he had got the information that both (Javaid and Muzaffar) have been arrested. Both of them also confessed to the crime.”
Responding to a question if the militants came by foot to carry out the attack, the top officer said the gunmen were dropped some 150 metres away from the spot and after firing the militants they ran away in the vehicle. “Javaid dropped them in the Sumbal area.”
Asked if any weapon has been snatched, he said, “one gun.” As already reported, militants fled with an Ak-47 rifle after carrying out the attack.
To another question if the militants were shifting base to Srinagar, he said, “if you check history of ten years, Srinagar outskirts have remained very hot especially this axis as it connects with Barmulla, Bandipora, Budgam, Srinagar.”
“We are changing strategy.
We have brought SSP operations in Srinagar and Budgam. Both the SSPs are working together and very soon the militants will be neutralized.”
Asked if these attacks have any bearings on ensuing Amarnath Yatra, he said: “Till then this group will be neutralized.”
Responding to a question about three robberies within a span of last 12 days in Srinagar, Baramulla and Budgam, he said, “Budgam police has already arrested one person who has confessed involvement in 2 robberies. Very soon the case will be cracked and details shared.”
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