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NIA raids reveal OGWs links with terror attack on pilgrims’ bus in Reasi

During the searches at multiple locations in Rajouri, the investigating agency seized items showing linkages between the terrorists and overgrown workers (OGWs).

Statesman News Service | Jammu | June 30, 2024 5:29 pm

NIA raids reveal OGWs links with terror attack on pilgrims’ bus in Reasi

Photo: IANS

The National Investigation Agency (NIA), on Sunday, carried out searches at multiple locations in the border district of Rajouri in the Jammu division in connection with the Reasi terrorist attack earlier this month in which nine pilgrims were killed.

Terrorists had opened fire at a bus carrying yatris (pilgrims) from Shiv Khori to Katra on the evening of 9 June in the Pouni area of the Reasi district causing the vehicle to fall into a deep gorge killing nine people, including a child.

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The NIA, which took over the investigation on 15 June on orders from the Ministry of Home Affairs, searched five locations linked with hybrid terrorists and Overground Workers (OGWs).

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An NIA spokesman said that the locations were pointed out by the arrested accused, Hakam Khan @ Hakin din. Hakam had provided them with safe shelter, logistics, and food, as per NIA investigations.

The searches, conducted as part of the NIA probe in the case (RC-02/2024/NIA/JMU), led to the seizure of various items showing linkages between the terrorists and OGWs. NIA has started examining the seized material to unravel the terror conspiracy, he said.

It is worth mentioning that the Reasi Police had detained more than 50 suspects for questioning.

In a major breakthrough, the police arrested an OGW, who provided shelter to terrorists for conducting a terror attack on the pilgrim bus in Reasi within ten days of the attack. The arrested terror associate was identified by the police as Hakam Khan (45). He is accused of having guided the terrorists to the attack spot.

 

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The Kerala High Court, on Thursday, granted bail to M K Nasar, one of the individuals convicted by the special NIA court last year in the case of chopping the hands of Professor T J Joseph in 2010. A division bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan and Justice P V Balakrishnan suspended Nasar’s sentence and granted conditional bail to him after considering his appeal against the NIA court’s conviction in the case Considering the prolonged detention and citing the potential for trial delays, the court suspended Nasar’s sentence and granted conditional bail, taking into account that some co-accused with similar allegations had already been released after serving shorter terms. The court noted that he had already spent nine years in jail and that delays in resolving appeals could justify suspending a convict’s prison term. It also observed that other accused in the case had received lesser sentences and had already been released after serving their terms. “The applicant has been undergoing incarceration, at the pre-conviction and post-conviction phases, for over 9 years. Furthermore, the fact that the accused facing the same allegations were earlier imposed a lesser term of imprisonment and have been released after having undergone the sentence is a factor that cannot be ignored. Additionally, the appeals filed by the NIA against the findings of the learned Sessions Judge are being considered in separate appeals, which have not yet been taken up. “There is also the likelihood of delay, as the prime accused has surrendered, and the learned Sessions Judge may have to take up the trial and dispose of it in accordance with the law and some of the original records may be required for that purpose. In view of these facts and circumstances, we are of the considered opinion that the sentence imposed on the applicant can be suspended pending the consideration of the appeal.” The court said The court, however, imposed strict conditions for Nasar’s bail. He is not supposed to provide a bond of Rs 1 lakh with two sureties, refrain from leaving the country without the court’s permission, avoid interfering with the trial or witnesses, and not commit similar offences while on bail The gruesome incident dates back to July 4, 2010, when Joseph, a professor at Newman College, Thodupuzha, was returning from Sunday mass with his family, members of the now-banned Popular Front of India (PFI) attacked him, allegedly in retaliation for a question paper he set, which contained a passage that they claimed insulted Prophet Mohammed was derogatory. His right hand was chopped off in this attack. Nasar was accused of playing a critical role in the attack. Investigations revealed his involvement in recruiting gang members, assigning specific tasks, collecting funds, procuring communication devices, and maintaining communication links with key conspirators.

The Kerala High Court, on Thursday, granted bail to M K Nasar, one of the individuals convicted by the special NIA court last year in the case of chopping the hands of Professor T J Joseph in 2010.