Jammu and Kashmir police on Tuesday claimed to have solved blast cases in Kotranka and Budhal areas of Rajouri that took police in the month of March and April this year, injuring at least four persons.
According to a statement, police said that two suspects, involved in these cases, have been arrested while mastermind behind these blasts is on the run.
The statement read that Kotranka town was rocked by twin blasts on 26 March and another blast took place on 19 April in which total two people were injured.
“In this regard, FIR No. 25/2022 U/S 120-B, 121-A, 122 IPC ¾ Explosives substances Act and 16/18 ULA(P) Act and FIR 33/2022 U/S 120-B, 121-A, 122,307 IPC ¾ explosives substances Act and 16/18 ULA(P) Act stand registered at PS Kandi,” it read.
It added that another blast took place in Shahpur, Budhal on 24 April in which two more persons were injured. “In this regard FIR No. 31/2022 u/s 307,120-B,121-A,122 IPC ¾ Explosives substances Act and 16/18 ULA(P) Act was registered at PS Budhal.”
It read that working on leads, joint teams of Rajouri Police and 60RR (14 Sector) conducted multiple raids and search operations at various locations in Larkoti, Targain, Jaglanoo and Draaj areas of Rajouri and apprehended two suspects namely Mohd Shabir son of Ghulam Hussain and Mohd Sadiq son of Ibrahim — both residents of Draaj, Budhal, who were involved in these incidents.
It added that during investigation, it has come to fore that three accused namely Talib Shah son of Haider Shah, Mohd Shabir son of Ghulam Hussain and Mohd Sadiq son of Ibrahim — all residents of Draaj, Budhal were involved in these incidents of blasts.
“These individuals, working on the directions of their Pak based handlers received weapons, ammunition, explosives and later used these IEDs to trigger blasts. It has surfaced during preliminary investigation that this group is headed by Talib Hussain Shah, who had collected three consignments of arms, ammunition and explosives from Lamberi-Kalakote area in the months of January, March and April this year,” it read.
The statement read that two accused namely Mohd Shabir and Mohd Sadiq have been arrested and the third accused Talib Shah is absconding. “Talib is the commander of LeT in general area Rajouri. He is the mastermind of all militant activities in Pir Panjal area.”
It added: “He has also motivated many youth for carrying out terror activities in Rajouri. Shabir and Sadiq were also motivated by Talib to conduct militant activities. Talib has remained instrumental in almost all incidents in Pir Panjal districts in last 2-3 years.”
It further read that it has also come to fore that this group was also sheltering a few Kashmir based active militants of LeT outfit in general area of Kandi-Budhal and were making efforts to revive militancy in Pir Panjal districts.
“This is a big achievement for J&K Police, SFs as the blasts had triggered panic in the area and these accused were also planning more such incidents to target SFs. The arrest of 2 associates of Talib is a big blow to LeT,” it read.
The statement read that during preliminary questioning, the arrested accused disclosed that they had hidden some explosive materials in forest area in Draaj area.
“During searches of the area conducted by Police and 60 RR, 05 IEDs, 05 Remote control, 19 Power source (cell) 19, Cover/wrap, Cloth piece and 10 Fuse were recovered.”
It added that the accused are also suspected to be involved in some more criminal, subversive activities for which they are being subjected to sustained interrogation.
“Arrest of Talib is very crucial in solving many militancy, criminal cases that have occurred during past few years in Pir Panjal area,” it added.
