NIA files chargesheet against Pak-based Lashkar terrorist

Tribune News Service

Jammu, October 24

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday filed a chargesheet against a Pakistan-based Laskhar-e-Toiba (LeT) terrorist, Zabiullah, in connection with an encounter which took place in Kupwara on March 20 and 21 this year. In the incident, five security men were killed and the same number of terrorists were gunned down.

Zabiullah, alias Hamza, had managed to escape from the spot but was arrested later from Jugtiyal, Tarshan in Kupwara. Zabiullah is a resident of Multan, Pakistan.

The chargesheet was filed in the Special NIA Court, Jammu, under various sections of the RPC, the Arms Act and the Foreigners Act.

Giving details, NIA spokesperson ADGP Alok Mittal said the case pertained to an encounter which took place on March 20 and 21 in the forest of Chak Fateh Khan, Halmatpora, Kupwara, between the security forces and Pakistan-based LeT terrorists. In the encounter, five terrorists were killed and one terrorist, namely Zabiullah, managed to escape.

“Three Army personnel and two policemen were martyred whereas four security personnel were injured. Besides other articles, five AK-47 rifles, two pistols, two under-barrel grenade launchers, one silencer, knife, four compasses and huge quantity of ammunition were recovered from the encounter site,” he said.

The NIA spokesperson said during the investigation, it was found that in the first week of March, a group of six LeT terrorists infiltrated into the Indian territory through the Line of Control, Kupwara. “The group was heading towards the Lolab area of Kupwara for establishing their base for carrying out subversive activities. While this group was passing through the forests of Chak Fateh Khan, they were intercepted by security forces and a gun battle took place on March 20-21,” he added.

Zabiullah was injured during the encounter but managed to escape. He was apprehended a fortnight later. “The investigation has established that Zabiullah is a Pakistani national and belonged to the LeT. Evidence collected from the scene of crime clearly linked the AK 47 recovered from the possession of Zabiullah with the empty cartridges recovered from the spot. Zabiullah also pointed out his place of residence in Pakistan, LeT training camps, launch pads and the route taken by him to enter into the Indian territory during his questioning,” Mittal said.

Five ultras were killed

• The encounter took place on March 20 and 21 this year in the forest of Chak Fateh Khan, Halmatpora, Kupwara, between security forces and Pakistan-based LeT terrorists
• In the gunfight, five terrorists were killed and one terrorist, namely Zabiullah, managed to escape
• Three Army personnel and two policemen were martyred in the gun battle