PoK-based Lashkar bosses planned Srinagar attack

Lashkar-e-Toiba commanders based in Pakistan occupied Kashmir masterminded the fidayeen attack at Bemina that killed five CRPF men and injured 10 others, including four civilians, on March 13.

The police claimed to have cracked the case with the arrest of four persons and recovered huge cache of arms.

“Investigations have revealed that the attack was carried out by two LeT cadre Saif of Dera Ghazi Khan and Haider of Multan, Pakistan, at the behest of Lashkar’s operational chief Ahmad Bhai and logistics chief and launching commander Anas Bilal, who are based across the LoC,” inspector general of police, Kashmir range, Abdul Ghani Mir said on Tuesday.

The IGP said the duo had been facilitated, handled and controlled by Pakistani commander Mohammad Zubair alias Talha Zaraar of Chak No 104, Multan, and local co-commander Bashir Ahmad Mir alias Haroon son of Uri.

Besides Talha and Bashir, the police have also arrested Pradeep Singh, a contractual sanitary inspector of health department, and Mukhtar Shah, a released militant. The police said both Singh and Shah provided logistical support to the militants.

The IGP said the ultras had done a reconnaissance of the area and CRPF personnel in close proximity to youngsters playing cricket was purposefully chosen as target since that would have allowed them to inflict maximum damage and had the potential to have civilian casualties.

@DNA