Poonch conspiracy: NIA files challan against 7 ultras of Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, June 25

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) today said it had filed a chargesheet against seven terrorists of proscribed organisation Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen (TuM) in a special Jammu court in connection with the December 2020 Poonch conspiracy case.

Poonch conspiracy

Seven terrorists were part of a criminal conspiracy hatched by the TuM’s Pak-based handlers and associates based in Poonch and Kuwait to execute terror activities in India

The seven TuM terrorists — Mohd Mustafa Khan, Mohd Yaseen, Mohd Farooq, Mohd Ibrar, Mohd Javid Khan, Sher Ali and Mohd Rafiq, alias Sultan — have been charged under various sections of the IPC, Arms Act, Explosive Substances Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

The NIA has accused the terrorists of being part of a deep-rooted criminal conspiracy by the TuM’s Pakistan-based handlers and terror associates based in Poonch and Kuwait to execute terrorist activities and wage a war against the Indian state. The officials said the case was initially registered by the J&K Police at Mendhar in Poonch after the arrest of Mustafa Khan and recovery of six hand grenades and other incriminating documents from his residence on December 27, 2020. On March 16 this year, the National Investigation Agency re-registered the case and took over the investigation.

“The absconding Rafiq and other handlers based in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir with the assistance of Sher Ali based in Kuwait and Mohd Mustafa , Mohd Yaseen, Mohd Farooq, Mohd Ibrar, Mohd Javid and others in Poonch district smuggled arms, ammunition, explosives, narcotics, etc, into the Indian territory,” said the NIA.