Jammu and Kashmir police have dismantled a terrorist module assigned to target off-duty policemen in Srinagar, DGP R.R. Swain revealed on Sunday
Three terrorists have been apprehended for their involvement in the assault on a police constable in Srinagar's Bemina area on December 9.
During a press briefing at the Police Control Room, Swain said the police have identified the individuals involved based on extensive investigations and concrete evidence.
“They are Imtiyaz Ahmed Khanday, son of Taria Ahmed Khanday from Hamdaniya Colony Sector A, Bemina; Mehran Khan, son of Mehraj Din Khan from Khawajapora, Rainawari; and Danish Ahmed Mala from Sector A, Hamdaniya Colony, Bemina,’’ he said.
The DGP revealed that the trio was operating under the guidance of a Pakistan-based handler named Hamza-Burhan, originally from Pulwama. “Among the three terrorists, Danish Malla was the mastermind who orchestrated the attack on police constable Muhammad Hafiz Chak,” he said.
He said Chak was targeted while heading home after duty on December 9. “Six bullets were fired at him; two struck him, with one hitting his spine, later removed by doctors,’’ he said. “The injured constable is currently in stable condition."
Khanday was identified as the individual who fired at Constable Hafiz at Hamdaniya Colony, Bemina.
During interrogation, the police recovered the weapons used in the attack—a Canik TP09, a Turkey-made Pistol, along with a magazine and one round of 9mm—from Khanday.
Police also seized a second CanikTP09 Turkey-made pistol, one magazine, and seven rounds from Khan while Malla was found in possession of 57 9mm rounds and two magazines.
The DGP said the arrested terrorists were affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba and its proxy outfit The Resistance Front (TRF). The Union Home Ministry had declared the TRF a terrorsit organization on January 5.
The investigation uncovered the trio had compiled a long list of policemen to target. "While there were other names on the list, the primary focus was on policemen," he said.
When asked about the recovery of Turkey-made pistols and their previous occurrence, the DGP pointed out similar instances in the past. "These weapons are being transported via drones and other means into J&K due to their lightweight and easy portability," he explained.
Responding to queries regarding any links between this module and the killing of police inspector Masroor Ahmed Wani on October 29 while playing cricket at Eidgah, Srinagar, the DGP stated that the NIA is investigating that case separately.
He commended the police for identifying and capturing the accused in the Bemina attack on police.
