NEW DELHI, June 19: The Jammu and Kashmir police on Wednesday said they have arrested one person in connection with the Reasi terror attack which left at least nine persons dead and 33 others injured.
The man helped the terrorists in the execution of the attack, police said.
A bus carrying pilgrims fell into a gorge after the terrorist attack in Reasi district in Jammu and Kashmir on June 9 evening, leaving at least nine persons dead and 33 others injured.
Addressing a press conference, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Reasi Mohita Sharma said the arrested person has been identified as Hakamdeen.
“A major breakthrough has been achieved in the case pertaining to the terrorist attack on the pilgrim bus which was coming from Shiv Khori on June 9. In this, one terror associate, namely Hakam, age 45 years has been arrested by Jammu and Kashmir Police at Reasi,” the Reasi SSP said adding that the arrested person was a prime militant associate who helped the terrorists in the execution of the attack.
”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 the execution of the attack. Further interrogation and investigation of the case is going on,” she added.
Ms Sharma said around 150 people have been arrested in connection with this case. ”We have arrested the terrorist from Bandrahi in Rajouri district. I reached the spot of the incident after 1.5 hours but the local police reached the spot immediately and were involved in the rescue of the injured… Since it was the day of the swearing-in ceremony of the new government and the India-Pakistan match, so we were on alert. We did not get any specific input regarding this attack,” she said. She further said that further interrogation and investigation of the case is going on.
As per the police, he worked for the terrorists as a guide and gave them shelter for ₹6000. ”He (Hakamdeen) also said he was present at the attack site and also heard gunshots. After the attack, he led the terrorists out of the area. On different occasions, the terrorists visited his residence. One day before the incident the terrorists stayed at his residence. He mentions about three terrorists. During recee of the site, he made sure that no CCTVs could capture him or the terrorists. He was given ₹6000 for this help by terrorists. We will not stop until those terrorists are either arrested or neutralised,” she said.
On June 10, an NIA team also visited the spot to support local police and evaluate the ground situation. The terrorists attacked the bus when it was coming from the Ransoo area of the Reasi district.
(Manas Dasgupta)