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PDP MLA’s police driver arrested in suspected connection with Yatri attack

Srinagar: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Jammu and Kashmir police, on Saturday, in regard to the recent attack on Amarnath pilgrims, has arrested a policeman for his suspected role in the incident, as per a report in Deccan Herald.

Seven Amarnath pilgrims were killed and 19 others were injured, after a suspected militant attack on the government forces in Batengoo, a village between Khanbal and Bejbehara, an area of Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Indian Armed Forces, on Wednesday, have launched a massive hunt to track down Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander and Pakistani national Abu Ismail, the alleged mastermind of the deadly attack on Amarnath pilgrims.

According to reports, a ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) legislator is also being questioned.

Touseef Ahmad, from the security wing of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, who had been deputed as driver to Wachi MLA Aijaz Mir, was picked up by the police on Thursday, reports said.

“The driver was provided to me by the police. He was a policeman. This is a police matter and the police department will deal with him, according to the investigation that is going on,” said MLA Mir, while speaking to the FreePressKashmir.

He added that he is ready to cooperate with the police in this matter.

“If they have any questions, I am ready to cooperate in the ongoing investigation,” he said.

MLA Mir confirmed that his driver has been arrested for investigation. The six-member SIT is headed by DIG (South Kashmir) S P Pani, and includes SSP (Anantnag) Altaf Khan, a DSP-rank officer and some others.

“The SP Shopian called me and told me that my driver has been picked up for investigation,” the MLA added.

According to reports, “Ahmad was arrested based on a phone intercept. The policeman had made a call to a militant handler and on the basis of that clue, he is being questioned by the SIT.”

The concerned SP, refusing to comment on the situation, told FreePressKashmir, “I have already mentioned that I won’t divulge any information on the matter. No comments.”

Reportedly, more than 20 people have been questioned so far in the case. “Some of them were released after questioning, while a few others are still in police custody. The SIT is investigating as to who provided the lead to militants about the movement of the yatra bus that was attacked,” the source said.

Inspector General of Police (IGP),Kashmir, Muneer Khan, while confirming Ahmad’s arrest, said that the “SIT is probing as who provided the militants logistic and local support.”

“The policeman, a resident of Chakoura, Pulwama, found to have links with militants, is being questioned. He is cooperating with us and is spilling the beans,” he told reporters.

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