Lethpora Attack: Vehicle identified, owner allegedly joins JeM

SRINAGAR — In a significant breakthrough in the investigation of Lethpora attack on CRPF convoy on 14 February, National Investigation Agency (NIA) Monday identified the vehicle used in the blast.

Officials in NIA said that piecing together remnants of the vehicle used by the suicide bomber in the Pulwama attack, from the scene of incident, NIA investigators with the support of forensic and automobile experts have been able to identify the vehicle used for the blast.

“A Maruti Eeco vehicle having Chassis Number MA3ERLF1SOO183735 Engine G12BN164140 was sold to Md Jaleel Ahmed Haqani, a resident of Heaven Colony, Anantnag in the year 2011,” they said.

“It subsequently exchanged hands seven times and finally reached Sajjad Bhat son of Md Maqbool Bhat resident of Bijbehara, District Anantnag who had acquired the vehicle on 4.2.2019. Sajjad was a student of Siraj-ul-Uloom, Shopain,” they said.

They added that a raid was conducted by NIA team at his house with the help of J&K Police on 23rd February.

“However, Sajjad was found not present in his house and thereafter has been evading arrest. He has reportedly now joined JeM. A photograph to this effect has also appeared in social media where Sajjad is seen holding weapons,” they added. (KNO)