Srinagar, Feb 08 (KNS): The state police on Thursday claimed to have arrested four persons including two militants and Over Ground Workers (OGW) each involved in the SMHS incident.
Earlier on Tuesday, two cops escorting the foreign militant to the SMHS for treatment were killed while the said militant identified as Naveed alias Abu Hanzalla managed to escape from the hospital after the militants from outside the hospital attacked on the police party.
Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Munir Ahmad Khan told reporters in a crowded news conference that on Tuesday among others, one Pakistani militant namely Mohammad Naveed Jhat, resident of Multan Pakistan was being taken from Central Jail Srinagar for medical check-up to SMHS, Hospital Srinagar. “On same day in the afternoon, a shootout took place in the hospital in which two cops namely HC Mushtaq Ahmad No. 249/S and Constable Baber Ahmad No 171/S who among others were escorting them, got seriously injured and later succumbed to their injuries,” he said.
He said that in the meanwhile, Naveed Jhat managed to escape from the spot with the active participation of some militants and their OGW’s.
In this connection, a case FIR No. 08/2018 under section 302, 224 RPC, 7/27 I.A Act stands registered in P/S Karan Nagar, Srinagar.
“To expedite the investigations, a SIT has been constituted by DIG CKR, Srinagar. The SIT so constituted conducted initial investigation and during investigation militants and OGWs identified as Hilal Ahmad Rather, son of Gh. Mohd Rather, resident of Begam Bagh Khan Mohalla Kakpora, Pulwama, Shakeel Ahmad Bhat, son of Mohd Ramzan Bhat, resident of Lelhar Kakapora Pulwama, Tika Khan, son of Abdul Ahad Khan, resident of Singu Narbal Pulwama, Syed Tajamul, son of Syed Mohd Syed, resident of Pahu Pulwama and Mohd Shafi Wani, son of Gh. Mohi ud din Wani, resident of Singu Narbal Pulwama involved in the commission of this act, have surfaced,” he said.
He said that accordingly all the above mentioned accused persons except one namely Hilal Ahmad Rather, son of Gh. Mohd Rather, resident of Begam Bagh Khan Mohalla Kakpora, Pulwama, who is absconding alongwith Naveed Jhat have been arrested.
“From the possession of two militants namely Shakeel Ahmad Bhat and Tika Khan a pistol each with ammunitions has been recovered,” he said, adding that during the course of investigation it was established that Hilal, Shakeel, Tika Khan were masterminds in the whole conspiracy.
“Tika Khan has also been a frequent visitor to Central Jail Srinagar and was in contact with Naveed Jhat. He visited Central Jail on different pretexts. Moreover, Naveed and rest the gang were in communication using mobile devices during the conspiring stage,” he said.
He said that with regard to the investigation of the SMHS incident, it has come to fore that above accused militants and OGWs were involved in the killing of two cops and in facilitating the escape of Naveed Jhat @ Hanzullah from police custody.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
“During investigation it has also surfaced that the conspiracy regarding the escape of the Pak militant was hatched some months back from Central Jail and militants of LeT and HM active in Kashmir valley,” he said.
He however said that the final planning to effect the conspiracy was done few weeks back at the residence of Tika Khan along with Hilal Ahmad Rather, Syed Tajamul, Shakeel Ahmad Bhat and Mohd Shafi Wani.
“It was decided that on the day of medical checkup of Naveed Jhat the above accused persons will go to SHMS Hospital in Maruti Car bearing Registration No JK01J-9611 belonging to Mohd Shafi and a Pulsar bike belonging to Shakeel Ahmad Bhat bearing registration No. CH01BB-3772,” he informed.
The vehicles as per the ADGP have been recovered and stand seized in the instance case.
“On the day of incident i.e. 06.02.2018 all the accused as per the plan moved towards the SMHS Hospital Srinagar where Naveed Jhat was being taken for Medical Checkup. The gang members took their respective position in and around SHMS Hospital premises and waited for the arrival of Naveed Jhat. At about 1130 hours police team carrying prisoner Naveed Jhat arrived in the hospital which was closely being monitored by the accused persons, who had mixed themselves with the attendants and patients,” he said.
Police said that as Naveed Jhat was taken inside the hospital for medical checkup, the gang members rushed inside the hospital and fired on the Cops carrying Naveed Jhat from very close range and taking advantage of huge rush of public, patients and attendants managed to escape, along with the Naveed Jhat from police custody. “Other dimensions of conspiracy including the leakage of information about movement of Naveed to hospital is being thoroughly looked into,” he said.
Keeping in view the huge rush of patients and attendants inside the SMHS Hospital, the policemen didn’t retaliate the fire just to avoid civilian causalities.
The other gang members were ready to receive the militant after escape.
“Accordingly after the escape, Naveed Jhat and Hilal Ahmad boarded the Pulsar bike driven by Shakeel Ahmad Bhat. The other gang members boarded Maruti Car of Mohd Shafi driven by Tika Khan and fled away from the spot,” the police said.
“Later, the escaped militant along with the above accused somehow managed to reach Pulwama and stayed at a hideout managed by Tika Khan for the night and on next day afternoon Naveed Jhat and Hilal Ahmed left the place along with some associates whose identity is yet to be ascertained,” he said. (KNS)