Poonch Attack: Local ‘Imam’ Among Seven Arrested So Far

SRINAGAR: Expanding the scope of the investigation into the Poonch attack, the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Jammu and Kashmir Police on Saturday detained a religious leader (Moulvi) from Jammu’s Bathindi area for allegedly having links with the militants involved in the recent attack. Although security forces are tight-lipped on the incident and restricted from sharing news with the media, reliable sources informed the news agency KNO that during the interrogation and questioning of detainees, the name of a Poonch-based Moulvi surfaced, allegedly having links across the border.

“A team of SOG detained Moulvi Manzoor from the Madrassa, Markaz-ul-Maarif in Bathindi on suspicion of having links with the Poonch attack,” sources said, adding that the accused is a teacher in the Madrassa and hails from the Poonch district. The fresh raid in Jammu took place a day after Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh claimed that the terror plot had been uncovered and six locals had been arrested for sheltering the militants.

Earlier, on April 20, militants ambushed an army vehicle in which five soldiers were killed, and one was left injured. The soldiers were from a Rashtriya Rifles unit deployed for counter-terror operations.

According to DGP Singh, the explosives and weapons came from Pakistan through drones. Singh said that the police had so far questioned more than 200 people, and the operation to neutralize the involved in the attack is underway. “Six persons (of a module) have been arrested. They include those who have provided material (weapons, ammunition, explosives) to the militants besides shelter and food and guided them from one to another place,” Singh told reporters during a visit to Rajouri district. He also claimed that there are 10 to 12 such elements operating in the area.

Earlier, Army’s Northern Commander Lt. Gen. Upendra Dwivedi also visited the attack site and said that necessary action is underway against the militants responsible for the deadly attack on an army truck in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district that left five soldiers dead.

Meanwhile, a massive search operation to track down the militants is underway in Bhata Dhurian following the ambush. (KNO)