Banihal car blast is ‘fidayeen attack’, Hizbul terrorist held: J&K DGP
Jammu, Apr 1 (UNI): Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Dilbag Singh on Monday said that the Banihal car blast of March 30 was a ‘fidayeen attack’ aiming to target the CRPF convoy on move to Srinagar while the Hizbul Mujaheedin terrorist, who attempted the attack, was arrested by the security forces after he escaped from the spot.
“Soon after triggering an improvised explosive device fitted in cylinders kept in the car, the accused terrorist was about to leave for Kashmir but he was arrested successfully by alert security personnel,” Singh told reporters here at a press conference on Monday.
“He was put to sustained questioning after which he confessed his involvement in the blast,” said the J&K Police Chief adding that he managed to give a slip after the blast but had suffered some burn injuries.
“As per reports, the trigger mechanism luckily was not perfect and the explosion was not powerful,” he said and added that two cylinders, gelatine sticks, kerosene was found inside the car and after the primary blast, the secondary one did not take place, due to which major tragedy was averted.
“It was a ‘fidayeen attack’ like Pulwama Terror attack,” he said and added that the FSL teams, experts, will be investigating the matter and the nature of explosives used in the blast.
“The case has been cracked because of good coordination of the Army, J&K Police and other security agencies,” he said and added that more revelations are expected during his interrogation.
As per initial reports, he belonged to Hizb-ul-Mujaheedin and added that a study group has been constituted, which will be soon visiting the spot, said the DGP and added that the security forces after Pulwama Terror attack, have foiled many attacks in the valley and also killed top commanders/fidayeens.
On advisor of Ministry of Home Affairs that the CRPF personnel must be airlifted to the valley and various SOPs must be followed, the DGP said, “the facility is being availed by the security personnel but sometimes, flights are not available and the number of troops cannot be shifted at a time.”
He said that the SOPS are being implemented and thoroughly followed.
Singh said that on Mar 30 at around 1015 hrs, a car loaded with explosives hit a bus of CRPF at Tethar, Banihal while the Convoy was moving from Srinagar to Jammu.
He added that as a result, the CRPF Bus suffered minor damage and the CRPF personnel travelling in the said bus had a narrow escape.
“Security forces reacted swiftly and the area was cordoned off,” he added.
“One live fabricated IED was also recovered in a tiffin carrier,” he said adding immediately, the police team realised the gravity of the incident and sought expert services from FSL and sniffer dog squads from Army and CRPF were requisitioned.
A case was registered into the matter and investigation was started, he said.
The nearby area was cordoned off by the police with the help of army and CRPF and extensive house to house search was started, he added.
A number of Mobile Vehicle Check Posts were also established at different places of NHW-44 from Jawahar Tunnel to Ramban to nab the perpetrator of the attack, who had fled away from the spot after triggering the explosion, said the DGP.
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