Police arrests all three LeT associates ‘involved in four bank heists’

SRINAGAR — Police have arrested three persons who allegedly decamped with cash from a Jammu and Kashmir Bank Branch in Pattan area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district two days ago.

Police also claimed their involvement in three other ‘robberies’ this year in the Valley and killing of a former SPO earlier this month.

Official sources said that police arrested the trio identified as Nisar Ahmad Bhat son of Ghulam Mohammad Bhat of Singhpora Pattan, Rahil Ahmad Parray son of Bashir Ahmad Parray of Kanihama Magam and Arif Ahmad Mir son of Ghulam Ahmad Mir of Mazhama.

A police officer while confirming the arrest said that the trio was working at the behest of LeT commander Yousuf Daralias Kantru and other militant of the outfit—Abrar Nadeem Bhat.

“Based on a specific input, Police in a joint operation with Army’s 29RR arrested the three militant associates (OGWS) affiliated with LeT last night,” he said.

He said the trio was involved in a recent robbery at J&K Bank Khore Sherabad on April 22 as well as a string of other such incidents including Grameen Bank Ogmuna on March 12, Grameen Bank Panzinara on March 16 and J&K Bank Branch at Chandipora on March 24.

“So far, investigation revealed that they decamped with total cash of Rs. 9,51,896 in all these incidents. They were also involved in looting of Rs 350000 from a petrol pump at Budgam on February 18,” he added.

As per police, the trio donning PPE kits forced their entry into the J&K bank branch at Sherabad Khore area in the Pattan and ran away with over Rs 2.86 lakhs along with 12-Bore rifle snatched from the bank guard. These persons left behind the vehicle (Alto K10) in which they came and fled away using another person’s vehicle (Maruti 800).

A day after, on Friday last, the 12-bore rifle as well as Maruti cab was found near Wusan village in Kunzar area of the district.

Meanwhile, the police said the trio was also behind the killing of a former SPO, Nasir Ahmad Khan son of Ghulam Mohammad Khan of Buchipora Magam, who was shot dead near his native village in central Kashmir’s Budgam district on April 11 last.

Besides cash of Rs 24,500, the officer said that one Chinese pistol, two magazines, 25 live rounds, two 12 bore rifles, three cartridges, two pouches, one multipurpose knife and three PPE kits, one weapon tying chain and three vehicles (Alto K-10 JK05G 5626, Alto-800 JK05G -45664, Alto K 10 without number plate) were recovered. “Further investigation is going on,” police said.