NIA files charge-sheet in Jaish’s infiltration-transportation module case

Tribune News Service

Advertisement

Jammu, July 27

National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday filed charge-sheet against six accused persons in Jaish-e-Mohammad’s (JeM) Nagrota infiltration-transportation module case.

At least three freshly-infiltrated terrorists travelling in a truck towards Srinagar were killed in a gunfight with security forces in Nagrota area on January 31 this year after the truck was stopped for checking by the police personnel at Ban Toll Plaza around 5 am.

According to an official spokesperson, the charge-sheet has been filed against the accused identified as Sameer Ahmed Dar, Asif Ahmed Malik, Sartaj Ahmed Mantoo, Suhaib Manzoor, Zahoor Ahmed Khan, all the residents of Pulwama district and Suheel Javid alias Suhail Lone, a resident of Wagar, Khan Sahib in Budgam district.

“While the driver of truck Sameer Ahmad Dar and his two associates identified as Asif Ahmad Malik and Sartaj Mantoo escaped taking advantage of pre-dawn darkness, the heavily-armed Pakistani terrorists hiding inside the cargo cabin of the truck started firing at the police party grievously injuring one security personnel,” the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson added, “In the ensuing search operation launched by the security forces in Ban forest area, the three Pakistani terrorists got killed while the driver and his two associates were arrested.”

The NIA took up the investigation of the case on February 10 and arrested three more terror associates of this “infiltration-transportation” module. Searches were conducted at several places in Kashmir valley and incriminating material, including documents and digital devices were seized.

“Investigation revealed that apart from their unsuccessful attempt in January, this module had received a group of three Pakistani terrorists in December last year after they infiltrated into Indian territory from the International Border in Samba sector and ferried them to South Kashmir,” the spokesperson said.

The NIA spokesperson said this module was in touch with Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad handlers and launch-pad commanders who used to send the location of freshly infiltrated terrorists and also share the codewords for receiving them to driver Sameer Ahmad Dar on secure messaging apps.

“The other three arrested accused comprising Suhaib Manzoor, Zahoor Ahmad Khan and Suhail Javed were the Over-Ground Workers of JeM and provided safe shelter, logistics and communication back-up for the infiltration and transit of the Pakistani terrorists. These OGWs also purchased ‘phirans’ for the infiltrated terrorists to make them look like Kashmiris and to help them hide their weapons,” the NIA statement said.

The arms and ammunition consisting of two AK-47 rifles, one AK-56, two AK-74s 1 M4 Carbine, two Glock pistols, three Chinese pistols, 35 grenades, 12 kg high-grade explosive, three satellite phones, six wireless devices, six remote controls, nine detonators and batteries brought by the Pakistani terrorists have been seized.

The trucks and car used for their movement were also seized.  Further Investigation in the case is continued,” the spokesperson said.