Combing op on in Pir Panjal range to trace Pahalgam attackers
Srinagar, April 30 -- As the National Investigation Agency (NIA) teams are busy collecting details about Pahalgam attackers, the army and police have launched a massive combing operation across Jammu and Kashmir to trace the terrorists involved in the Pahalgam massacre.
The focus of searches is the deep forests which connect Kashmir with Kishtwar forests over the Pir Panjal mountain range, a possible escape route of terrorists after targeting the tourists. The April 22 attack at Baisaran meadow claimed 26 lives, 25 tourists and a local.
Multiple NIA teams, based in Pahalgam, are frequenting the Baisaran meadow, five km away, and collecting forensic evidence. Officials say dozens of eyewitnesses, locals and tourists, both survivors and injured, have been questioned to ascertain the exact details of the attack. NIA and local police have collected a large number of videos shot by tourists and local guides, before and after the attack.
Local photographers and zip-line handlers who were at Baisaran on the day of the attack have been questioned. Some of them remain in preventive custody. "The NIA has taken up the case. An IG-rank officer and four to five senior officers are part of the probe. Police are assisting investigators," said a senior NIA officer in the know of details.
So far, police and NIA have found evidence of involvement of four to five terrorists, and officials say they are certain it was carried out by terrorists affiliated with the Lashkar-e-Taiba. The Resistance Front (TRF), an LeT offshoot, has claimed responsibility for the attack.
"It is a matter of time. Forces will get a breakthrough. Crucial leads are being pursued to unveil those who provided logistical support to the terrorists," the officer said.
NIA and police officers are tight-lipped about the progress in the investigation. However, the focus is on leads which officials got during questioning of around 200 people in south Kashmir. Investigators say they have information about the weapons used by the attackers, which include assault and M4 rifles.
So far, investigators have found the involvement of four terrorists in this attack and police have released details of two foreigners and a local. The details of two more foreign terrorists are being ascertained, the officials added.
The accused whose details have been released include Adil Hussain Thoker, Hashim Misa and Adil Bhai.
Thoker is a resident of Gurree village in Bijbehara, Anantnag. He had gone to Pakistan in 2018 and there are indications that he returned last year, the officials said, adding that his house was demolished on April 25.
Musa alias Suleiman and Ali Bhai alias Talha Bhai are Pakistani nationals. Police say both of them have been active for the past one or two years in south Kashmir. Police have announced a Rs.20 lakh reward for information about their whereabouts.
The road to Baisaran meadow has been sealed off and CRPF jawans are not allowing civilians into the area. "Everybody who was at the meadow has been questioned," said a senior police officer.
The NIA, in a statement, said they have intensified search for evidence. "Teams are examining the eyewitnesses who had seen the attack unfold," the statement said. Soon after the attack, a case was registered under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Arms Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act....
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