Srinagar, Dec 17: In a significant anti-terrorism breakthrough, the Jammu and Kashmir’s Director General of Police (DGP) RR Swain Sunday said that police have busted the terrorist module in Kashmir who were tasked to kill off-duty policeman in Srinagar.
He said three hybrid terrorists involved in the attack on police constable in Bemina, Srinagar on December 9 have been apprehended by the police.
Director General of Police, RR Swain, disclosed the achievement during a press briefing, shedding light on the apprehension of three persons involved in a recent attack on a police constable in Bemina.
The accused identified as Imtiyaz Ahmed Khanday, Mehnan Khan, and Danish Ahmed Mala, were reportedly operating under the guidance of a handler based in Pakistan. Danish Mala, the main mastermind, orchestrated the attack on constable Muhammad Hafiz Chak, resulting in critical injuries. Constable Chak is currently in stable condition.
“The assailants fired six bullets at Constable Chak, with two penetrating and one striking his spine, later successfully removed by medical intervention. The injured constable, identified as Chak, is currently in stable condition. Imtiyaz Ahmed Khanday was identified as the accused who fired at Constable Hafiz in Hamdaniya Colony, Bemina and left him critically injured,” he said.
DGP Swain said that during the interrogation, the offensive weapon, a Canik TP09 Turkey-made Pistol along with one magazine and one 9mm round, was confiscated from Imtiyaz Ahmed Khanday.
“In the case of Mehnan Khan, a second Canik TP09 Turkey-made pistol, one magazine, and seven rounds were recovered. Danish Malla, another detainee, was found in possession of 57.9mm rounds and two magazines. The DGP emphasized that these arrested individuals were associated with Lashkar-e-Toiba/TRF,” he added.
DGP Swain further revealed that the detained trio had compiled an extensive list of policemen earmarked for targeting.
“While there were additional names on the list, the majority were policemen. When questioned about the novelty of recovering Turkey-made pistols,” he said that similar small arms had been retrieved in the past as well,” he said.
DGP Swain said these weapons are not only infiltrating through other means but are also being dropped from drones. Their lightweight nature makes them easily transportable, he said.
Responding to a question about the potential connection of this module to the killing of police inspector Masroor Ahmed Wani, who was targeted while playing cricket at Eidgah, Srinagar, on October 29, the DGP mentioned that the case is currently under investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
He commended the police for their professional handling of the Bemina Cop attack case and successfully apprehending the accused behind the attack.
