NIA arrests Pulwama youth for ‘providing logistic support to JeM’

SRINAGAR — The National Investigation Agency today arrested Irshad Ahmad Reshi of Ratnipora, Pulwama for his involvement in an attack on CRPF Group Centre at Lethpora in December 2017.

He is fifth “accused” to have been arrested in the case during follow up investigation upon disclosures of accused Nisar Ahmed Tantray and Syed Hilal Andrabi arrested earlier.

In a statement issued here, the NIA said that arrested Irshad Ahmad was an active OGW (Over Ground Worker) of proscribed militant organisation Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM). “He was a close associate of slain militant and JeM Commander Noor Mohammad Tantray alias Noor Trali,” the statement said.

“The attack on CRPF Group Centre, Lethpora was executed under a conspiracy to avenge the death of Noor Trali, who was killed in an encounter with security forces in December 2017,” the statement said.

It said that Irshad has been found to be a key conspirator who provided logistic support in the form of sheltering and transport for the militants and conducting reconnaissance of the CRPF Group centre, Lethpora before the attack.

“Four accused namely Fayaz Ahmad Magray resident of Lethpora, Awantipora, Manzoor Ahmed Bhat resident of Pampore, Awantipora, Nisar Ahmad Tantray resident of Dar Ganai Gund, Tral, Awantipora and Syed Hilal Andrabi resident of Ratnipora, Pulwama have been arrested earlier in the case,” it said.

It said, “The attack on CRPF Group Centre, Lethpora was carried out in the intervening night of 30-31.12.2017 by three militants belonging to Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM). During the investigation by NIA, the militants were identified as Fardeen Ahmad Khanday son of Ghulam Mohideen Khanday resident of Nazninpora, Tral, District Pulwama, Manzoor Baba son of Ali Mohammad Baba resident of Drubgam, District Pulwama, and a Pakistani namely Abdul Shakoor resident of Rawalakot area of PaK. All the three were killed in the encounter.

In this attack, 5 CRPF personnel were killed and three were grievously injured.

“Irshad will be produced before the Special NIA court, Jammu on 15.04.2019 with a request for grant of police custody for further investigation,” the statement said.