Srinagar, Feb 13: The Jammu and Kashmir Police Tuesday said that they have arrested a terrorist believed to be the main perpetrator behind the killing of two residents of Amritsar, Punjab, in the Shaheed Gunj terror attack that occurred on February 7th. The victims, Amritpal Singh and Rohit Masi, both carpenters, were shot in the Shaheed Gunj area of Srinagar. Amritpal died on the spot, while Masi succumbed to his injuries the following day.
The terrorist attack was claimed by the TRF, an affiliate of the terror group LeT, shortly after it occurred. The police managed to arrest the main accused, identified as Adil Manzoor Langoo, within six days of the attack.
Addressing the press conference at Police Control Room Srinagar, Addl. Director General of Police J&K Vijay Kumar who was flanked with Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Zone V K Bidri and other senior officers stated that police succeeded in cracking the Srinagar terrorists and the main accused behind the attack has been arrested within 6 days.
Briefing about the details, ADGP Law and Order J&K Vijay Kumar said that the accused was a highly motivated and radicalized individual. His handler in Pakistan radicalized him on social media and motivated him to carry out the terror attack.
“In furtherance of the conspiracy, the handler provided him the weapon after which he motivated him to carry out the attack. In furtherance of same, accused identified his targets and tracked them in the lanes of Shalla Kadal on the fateful day and open fire upon both of them, who consequently, succumbed to their injuries,” he added.
ADGP Kumar said police will adopt a stern approach towards Pakistani handlers currently residing in Pakistan but carrying their activities through local collaborators.
“We are taking stringent measures, including confiscating the assets of these local handlers situated across the border, who are enlisting locals to execute terrorist activities here,” he said.
ADGP Kumar further said that terrorist Langoo is from Zaldagar area of Srinagar and follows Ahle-Hadith sect. He was in touch with the Pakistani handler through social media, who had managed to provide him with a pistol in January, he said.
“Following the incident, Srinagar Police detected the case leading to the identification of the accused who carried out the terrorist attack on these two persons from Punjab. Subsequently recovered weapons of offence and other incriminating material,” ADGP said.
Giving details, IGP Birdi said “based on field and technical analysis, we unearthed clinching evidence. Some suspects were rounded up and we eventually arrested Adil Manzoor Langoo.”
IGP Bidri stated that Langoo was in contact with his handler in Pakistan through social media, who persuaded him to carry out the attack. Langoo was provided with a pistol on February 4th, which was later recovered from his possession. The attack took place on February 7th around 7 pm in the Shalla Kadal area of Shaheed Gunj, where the victims were targeted while returning to their rented accommodation.
The police registered a case under various sections including IPC 302 (murder), IPC 307 (attempt to murder), Arms Act, and ULA(P) Act. Through technical and field analysis, the police identified Langoo as the main suspect. He was found to be highly radicalized and motivated by his handler in Pakistan.
He further said that Srinagar Police, on the basis of technical and field analysis, zeroed in upon certain suspects and later on, based upon clinching evidence collected during investigation, identified and arrested the main accused namely Adil Manzoor Langoo S/o Manzoor Ahmad Langoo RIo Zaldager Srinagar.
About the number of active terrorists in Kashmir, ADGP said that there are currently 25 local terrorists operating in Kashmir, along with an additional 25 to 30 foreign terrorists. He urged parents and teachers to closely monitor their children, especially those extensively engaged in social media use.
Meanwhile, the DIG CKR has constituted a SIT to be headed by SP South for investigation of the case and further investigation is underway in this matter.
