J&K police bust terrorist module tasked to kill policemen and other civilians

NEW DELHI: Jammu and Kashmir’s Director General of Police (DGP) RR Swain revealed on Sunday that the police have successfully dismantled a terrorist module assigned to target off-duty policemen in Srinagar. The breakthrough came with the arrest of three terrorists involved in the brutal attack on Head Constable Hafiz Chak in Bemina on the evening of December 9.

Addressing a press conference at the Police Control Room (PCR), DGP Swain stated that thorough investigations and substantial evidence led to the identification and arrest of three individuals: Imtiyaz Ahmed Khanday from Hamdaniya Colony Sect A, Bemina; Mehnaz Khan from Khawajapora, Rainawari; and Danish Ahmed Mala from Sector A, Hamdaniya Colony, Bemina, Srinagar.

In connection with the case, FIR number 112/23 under sections 7/27, 307, IPC 16, 18, and 38 ULAP has been registered at the Bemina police station.

DGP Swain revealed that the trio was operating under the directives of Pakistan-based handler Hamza-Burhan, originally from Pulwama. Among the three, Danish Malla was identified as the mastermind behind the conspiracy to attack Police Constable Muhammad Hafiz Chak, who was targeted while returning home after duty on December 9. The assailants fired six bullets at the constable, causing injuries, with one bullet hitting his spine, which has been successfully removed by doctors. The injured constable is reported to be in stable condition.

Imtiyaz Ahmed Khanday fired at Constable Hafiz in Hamdaniya Colony, Bemina. During their arrest, a Canik TP09, Turkey-made pistol with one magazine and one round 9mm were recovered from Imtiyaz Ahmed Khanday. From Mehnaz Khan, a second Canik TP09 Turkey-made pistol, one magazine, and seven rounds were seized. Danish Malla had 57 9mm rounds and two magazines in his possession. The arrested terrorists were found to be affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba/TRF.

The investigations revealed that the arrested trio had compiled a list of policemen to be targeted. DGP Swain acknowledged that while there were other individuals on the hit list, the majority were policemen.

Responding to queries about the recovery of Turkey-made pistols, DGP Swain noted that similar small arms had been retrieved in the past. He pointed out that these weapons are often dropped by drones or smuggled into J&K through other means, owing to their lightweight nature.

When asked about any possible connection between this module and the killing of Police Inspector Masroor Ahmed Wani, who was attacked while playing cricket at Eidgah, Srinagar, on October 29, the DGP stated that the case is currently under investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). He commended the police for professionally handling the Bemina Cop attack case and successfully apprehending the accused.