As the Government expressed confidence that interrogation of the apprehended Pakistani terrorist Mohd Naved will give vital inputs about infiltration bids from across the border, the NIA on Thursday took charge of the investigation to expose the Pakistan’s role in the terror attacks on the Indian soil.
Naved was captured by Village Defence Committee members after a terror strike on a BSF convoy on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in Samroli area of Udhampur district on Wednesday in which two BSF jawans were killed. Giving a statement in both Houses of Parliament, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said, “We are confident that interrogation of the apprehended terrorist will reveal their modus operandi, including the details of their infiltration from across the border and their targets. The Government remains committed to combating terrorism with a strong resolve and ensuring the safety and security of our citizens and our security personnel.”
A four-member NIA team led by Inspector General Sanjeev Kumar Singh, camping in Jammu since Wednesday evening, took custody of the Pakistani terrorist after senior officers of the State and Central intelligence agencies interrogated him at a joint interrogation centre located in Miran Sahib area of Jammu. J&K DGP K Rajendra led the team of interrogators to piece together the chronology of events preceding the audacious terror strike. The State Police also prepared a preliminary interrogation report of Naved before handing over his custody to the NIA.
According to official sources, the NIA team airlifted Naved to Kashmir Valley as they began their own investigations. According to reliable sources, the NIA is expected to visit different places across Kashmir Valley to corroborate claims made by Naved on how he infiltrated inside the Indian territory and stayed at different locations before boarding a truck from Kulgam to reach Udhampur hours before targeting the BSF convoy.
Meanwhile, in another related development the State Government on Thursday gave prosecution sanction against Naved for waging a war against the country.
District Magistrate of Udhampur Shahid Iqbal Choudhary said the Pakistani national has been booked under Section 121 of the RPC (waging war against the country) among other sections. “It has been established beyond reasonable doubt that an offence of criminal conspiracy has been committed by the terrorist, which attracts the provisions of sections 121 and 121-A RPC. Sanction is hereby accorded as per the provisions of section 196 of the CrPC for prosecution in the court of law following due procedure established under law,” the DM said in a prosecution order here today.
Earlier in the day, Rajnath Singh informed both Houses of Parliament that the apprehended terrorist was brought to Jammu, where he is being questioned by the concerned authorities. He said preliminary interrogation of the captured terrorist reveal his identity as Md. Naveed Yakub @ Usman, r/o Faisalabad (Pakistan). He also revealed the identity of his slain accomplice as Md. Nomen @ Nomin (code name) r/o Bhawalpur, Pakistan. In this connection, a case in FIR No. 60/2015 U/S120/120-B/307/302/RPC, 7/25 Arms Act, 15/16 Unlawful Activities Prevention Act has been registered at Police Station Chenani and further investigation of the case is in progress. Two AK-47 rifles along with some magazines, grenade and ammunition etc. have been recovered from the terrorists.
Singh said, “We strongly condemn the attack and the persistent attempts by terrorists from across the border to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere in Jammu & Kashmir.” On behalf of this august House, I take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the martyred BSF personnel and our sympathies to those injured in this mindless act of violence.