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The Jammu and Kashmir police have arrested a “prime militant associate” in connection with the June 9 Reasi terror attack, in which a bus carrying pilgrims was targeted, killing nine people. This is the first arrest in the case.
“A major breakthrough has been achieved in the case… pertaining to the terrorist attack on a pilgrim bus which was coming from Shiv Khori on June 9. One terror associate, namely Hakam Din, 45, of Rajouri district has been arrested by J&K Police at Reasi. This person was involved in harbouring the terrorists multiple times, along with providing food and shelter. The said person also acted as a guide and helped them reach the spot of the incident. The arrested person is a prime militant associate who helped the terrorists in execution of the attack. Further interrogation and investigation of the case is going on,” said Senior Superintendent of Police Mohita Sharma.
Police have so far found that three militants were involved in the attack. According to Sharma, Din told the police that the militants visited him thrice and each time, he provided them food and shelter at his residence.
A day before the Reasi attack, militants did the planning at his home, and Din allegedly took them to the spot on June 9, the SSP said, adding that nearly 150 people have been detained as part of the police investigation into the case.
Sources said Din’s name came up during the questioning of some suspects who had been detained. The SSP herself led a team to Bandhrahi, near the Line of Control, and picked him up.
During sustained questioning, he is learnt to have told police that militants had infiltrated into Jammu from across the Line of Control through Khour area. He also disclosed the names of some other alleged terror associates, who too have been detained, sources said.
Meanwhile, two militants were killed and a policeman and Army soldier injured in a gunfight in north Kashmir’s Sopore. The incident comes a day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to reach the Valley for a Yoga Day event in Srinagar.
The gunfight erupted when police and paramilitary forces launched a cordon and search operation in Rafiabad following inputs about the presence of militants in the area.
Since police had specific inputs and were aware of the possibility of a gunfight, they closed two educational institutions first.
As the joint team of forces zeroed in on the target, militants hiding in the village opened fire and tried to break the security cordon, officials said, adding that security forces retaliated and the gunfight lasted several hours.
—With inputs from Bashaarat Masood
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