Srinagar, Jan 28: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday carried out extensive searches at six locations across three districts in Kashmir. The raids were part of an investigation into the killing of non-locals, allegedly linked to the banned terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
NIA teams were accompanied by Jammu and Kashmir Police, CRPF and other officials who carried put massive searches in different parts of the Valley. The case relates to the killing of two civilians belonging to Chamyari in Amritsar (Punjab) by terrorists, who opened fire at them on the evening of 7th February 2024 at Shalla Kadal in the Shaheed Ganj area of Srinagar.
Amritpal Singh had died on the spot while the other victim, Rohit Masi, was critically injured and succumbed to his injuries at a Srinagar hospital on the 8th February.
A NIA Spokesman said that the searches were conducted today at six locations in the districts of Srinagar, Badgam & Sopore in the case RC-01/2024/NIA/JMU, registered by NIA on 15th June 2024 on the directions of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt of India.
The agency had earlier chargesheeted four accused including Ahran Rasool Dar alias Tota, Dawood, and their Pakistan-based handler, Jahangeer alias Peer Sahab.
“During the searches, NIA teams have seized several incriminating materials from the residential premises belonging to sympathisers, cadres and overground workers (OGWs) of the proscribed terror outfit, LeT, and its offshoot ‘The Resistance Front’ (‘TRF’). The suspects were involved in harbouring, sheltering, and providing logistical assistance to terrorists,” he said.
The spokesman said that NIA investigations in the case so far have revealed that masterminds of LeT and TRF were in touch with youth in the Kashmir Valley to orchestrate attacks on non-locals as part of a conspiracy to wage war against the Government of India.
“The criminal conspiracy was reportedly planned both physically and through cyberspace, using encrypted social media applications. NIA is examining the materials seized during the searches and is continuing with its probe in the case,” he added.
As per police based on field and technical analysis, we unearthed clinching evidence. Some suspects were rounded up and we eventually arrested Adil Manzoor Langoo.” He said the accused was in contact with his handler in Pakistan, “who convinced him via social media to carry out the attack.
“The pistol provided to him on February 4 has also been recovered from his possession. Slain Amritpal and Rohit were coming back to Srinagar from Amritsar and were on way to their rented accommodation. They were carpenters and were attacked in the Shalla Kadal area of Shahed Gunj. We have registered FIR no. 08/2024 u/s 302, 307 IPC, 7/27 Arms Act, 15, 16, 20 ULA(P) Act in PS Shaheed Gunj,” he said.
Following the attack, DIG CKR constituted a SIT headed by SP South for investigation of the case. Later it was handed over to the NIA for further investigation.
