Lawaypora attack: 2 OGWs held, LeT militant on the run, says IGP Kashmir

at 11:22 am
Lawaypora attack
The vehicle that was targeted in the attack.

Srinagar (NVI): The Lawaypora, Srinagar attack case stands solved as police have arrested two over ground workers (OGWs) and a Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militant involved in the act has also been identified but has fled, IGP Kashmir range Vijay Kumar today said.

Two CRPF men were killed and two others were injured yesterday after terrorists attacked a security patrol in Lawaypora area of Srinagar.

While talking to the reporters on the sidelines of wreath-laying ceremony of two slain CRPF men at RTC Humhama, the IGP informed that the vehicle used in the attack has also been seized.

“Srinagar police and Bandipora police worked tirelessly soon after the attack and identified the three men who took part in the Lawaypora attack,” he added

“Two OGWs who were identified as Muzaffar Ahmed Mir and Javaid Ahmed Sheikh provided logistic support to one Lashkar militant Nadeem Abrar Bhat alias Abu Brar, a resident of Narbal, Budgam. Nadeem is close relative of OGW Muzaffar,” the IGP said.

The trio had conducted a recee of the area on March 24 after which they chose the target on Thursday afternoon, he stated.

The IGP said that acting on a specific lead, police first arrested Javaid Sheikh along with the Maruti car bearing number HR 10 Q-6583 in which some empty cartridges were also recovered.

Kumar said, “After his questioning and interrogation, we also arrested Muzaffar. Raids were conducted on two hideouts, but LeT militant Nadeem and two foreign militants had fled after coming to know about the arrest of Muzaffar and Javaid.”

Furthermore, the IGP told the reporters that both the arrested OGWs have confessed to the crime.

On being questioned whether any weapon was missing from the incident spot, the IGP said, “Yes, one weapon is missing.”

He, however, said that the police are working on leads and very soon the remaining attackers which includes Let militant Nadeem and two foreigners will either be arrested or killed in an encounter.

Asked about an increase in militant attacks in Srinagar and its outskirts, the IGP said that there is a militant movement on the national highway on city outskirts as it connects Srinagar with rest of the Kashmir districts.

“We will see if there is any loophole and ensure that the same is plugged,” he added.

Questioned whether attacks like Lawaypora may cast a shadow on the upcoming Amarnath Yatra commencing from June 28, the Kashmir police chief said that those involved in yesterday’s attack will be killed before the Yatra starts.

Talking about the rise in bank robbery cases in Srinagar, the Kashmir police chief said that in the past 12 days, three incidents have taken place and one person has been arrested.

“More arrests are on cards. We will soon share details with the press,” he said.

In addition to this, speaking during the ceremony, IG CRPF Srinagar Sector, Charu Sinha, while referring to the Lawaypora incident said, “Such incidents are like dancing with the devil, and it’s the devil who calls the tune. I leave it to the people of Kashmir to choose between peace, harmony and violence.”

-CHK