5 terrorists linked to Pakistan-based Jaish get life imprisonment

A designated court for the National Investigation Agency (NIA) cases in New Delhi has pronounced life imprisonment to 5 Kashmiri cadres of the Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad and a 5-year rigorous imprisonment to another terror operative.

The six JeM were booked under different provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Indian Penal Code.

He said The spokesperson said that life imprisonment was awarded on Monday by the Special Judge to Sajjad Ahmad Khan and Merajuddin Chopan of Handoora Awantipora, Bilal Ahmad Mir of Gadpora Tral, Muzaffar Ahmad Bhat of Monghama Tral and Ishfaq Ahmad Bhat of Khalpora Marhama Anantnag. He said that rigorous imprisonment for 5 years was awarded to Tanvir Ahmad Ganai of Mandora Tral.

Additional rigorous imprisonment and fine was also pronounced in some offences to the accused against whom charges were established in the trial court.

The spokesperson said that the case pertained to the JeM founder Maulana Masood Azhar’s brother Mufti Abdul Rauf Asghar’s involvement in recruitment of cadres in Kashmir to carry out terrorist acts in different parts of India.

“A large number of the Pakistan-trained terrorists, weapons and explosives trainers of JeM had illegally infiltrated into Indian territory after crossing the border, with the help of their associates based in different States of India”, said the NIA spokesperson.

He said that all the accused, especially Bilal Mir and Muzaffar Bhat, had carried out reconnaissance survey of different targets, arranged hideouts and provided logistic support to terrorists to carry out attacks in India. Sajad Ahmad Khan had been sent to Delhi to carry out reconnaissance survey of important targets as also to establish a hideout in the national capital. “The main aim was to identify, radicalise and recruit youths, impart them training in handling of weapons and explosives and fieldcraft and raise funds, procure weapons etc. in order to execute their nefarious designs”, he added.

“Tanveer had facilitated transporting of terrorists and was also involved in supplying sealed parcels/ food/medicines and other logistical support. Explosives were recovered at the behest of Mehrajuddin while detonators were recovered from Muzzaffar. Ishfaq Ahmad was highly radicalised and had facilitated radicalisation of other youths and was instrumental in providing shelter to the terrorists”, he added.

Officials said that Masood Azhar’s two brothers and nephews, including Mufti Rauf Asghar, had played a key role in planning and executing the car bomb blast at Lethapora Awantipora, on 14 February 2019, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed. They said that these six terror operativs and facilitaors were close linked to Azhar’s brothers, nephews and associates during planning and execution of the suicide strike on the highway.