Srinagar
National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday arrested a 35-year-old man from Pulwama in connection with a militant attack on CRPF camp at Lethpora in 2017.
NIA in a statement said that Syed Hilal Andrabi (35) of Ratnipora, Pulwama was arrested in Case RC No. 10/2018/NIA/DLI (Attack on CRPF Group Centre, Lethpora).
“The militant attack on CRPF Group Centre, Lethpora was carried out in the intervening night of 30- 31.12.2017 by three militants of Jaish-e-Mohammad(JeM)”.
During the investigation by NIA, militants were identified as Fardeen Ahmad Khandey son of Ghulam Mohideen Khandey of Nazeempora, Tral, Pulwama, Manzoor Baba son of Ali Mohd Baba of Drubgam, Pulwama, and Abdul Shakoor resident of Rawalakot area of Pakistan. All three militants were killed in the encounter.
“In this attack, 5 CRPF personnel were killed and 3 were grievously injured. Arrested accused Syed Hilal Andrabi is an active OGW (Over Ground Worker) of Jaish-e-Mohammad. He is a key conspirator who provided logistic support in the form of sheltering the militants and conducting reconnaissance of the CRPF Group centre, Lethpora before the attack,” the NIA spokesman said.
With the arrest of Syed Hilal Andrabi, the total number of accused arrested in this case has risen to four. Three accused already arrested for being a part of the conspiracy for this attack include Fayaz Ahmad Magrey of Lethpora, Awantipora, Manzoor Ahmed Bhat of Pampore, Awantipora and Nisar Ahmed Tantray of Dar Ganai Gund,Tral, Awantipora, said NIA spokesman in a statement.
“After his arrest from Jammu, accused Syed Hilal Andrabi was produced before the competent court and his five days’ police custody has been obtained for unearthing the larger conspiracy behind this attack,” NIA said.
