3 JeM operatives held for cabbie’s murder

The police have busted a terror module linked to the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and apprehended three J&K-based persons in connection with abduction and murder of cab driver Anil Kumar near Kandala village on August 29.

Those arrested have been identified as Sahil Bashir (19) of Handwara Langate village in Kupwara, Munish Singh alias Ansh (22) of Kotli village in Doda and Aijaz Ahmed Khan (22), alias Wasim, of Manjpura village in Kalamabad.

The police also seized from them a car and a country-made pistol used in the crime.

Anil’s wife Sudha Devi of Nayagaon had lodged a complaint with the police that her husband, who used to drive a taxi, had been missing since August 29. A preliminary investigation revealed that three unidentified persons had hired Anil’s cab from Kharar. Multiple police teams were constituted and the accused apprehended.

Bashir is wanted in a case registered at the Qalamabad police station in Handwara (J&K) under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Arms Act. His brother Sajad Ahmad Shah was earlier arrested with a cache of weapons and material linked to the JeM. They were identified as over-ground workers of the JeM.

Ropar range DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar said, “The accused were arrested from Batala and Gurdaspur areas. During the interrogation, the accused confessed to having fatally shot the driver after an altercation and later disposed of the body in the Mohali area.”

SAS Nagar SSP Harmandeep Hans said the accused booked the cab on the pretext of going to the Chandigarh railway station from Kharar. When they reached near Kandala village, they pulled Anil out of the vehicle and shot him dead. Later, they escaped with the car and other belongings, he said.

Anil’s body was found by the police. Three bullet shells were also found near the body, he added.