SIA chargesheets two in Poonch temple grenade attack case

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The chargesheet names two individuals: Abdul Aziz, son of the late Abdul Rehman, a resident of Hari Safeda, Surankote, Poonch, and Nazir Ahmed, also known as Naziroo or Ali Khan, son of the late Khursheed Ahmed, a Pakistan-based terrorist who also hails from Hari Safeda, Surankote.

According to an SIA official, the investigation revealed that Abdul Aziz carried out the grenade attack on the instructions of Nazir Ahmed, who is currently operating from Pakistan. Nazir Ahmed exfiltrated to Pakistan in 2001, joined the banned terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen (HM), and later became associated with the Jammu Kashmir Gaznavi Force (JKGF).

Towards the end of 2022, Nazir Ahmed re-established contact with Abdul Aziz, his relative, through encrypted messaging applications using Pakistan-based numbers. During this communication, he radicalised and recruited Aziz into HM/JKGF, instructing him to carry out grenade attacks in the Poonch district to further the terror outfit’s agenda and ideology.

The investigation further revealed that Nazir Ahmed not only indoctrinated and recruited Abdul Aziz but also supplied him with hand grenades and detailed instructions for executing the attack through encrypted communication channels.

The investigation indicated a wider conspiracy orchestrated by the Pakistan-sponsored Hizbul Mujahideen to destabilise the Union Territory. The act was intended to spread terror, incite communal violence, and undermine public peace by creating fear among the common people.

The filing of this chargesheet highlights the SIA’s unwavering commitment to dismantling terror networks and safeguarding the peace and security of Jammu and Kashmir.