Captured Lashkar militant reveals Pak terror plot: Probe

NEW DELHI: A suspected Pakistani national arrested from Kashmir and described by the government as a “big terror catch” had crossed over to India to attack security forces and fuel more unrest in the valley, counterterror officials said on Thursday.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has been asked to take up the case against the terror suspect, Bahadur Ali, who was arrested on Tuesday following an encounter with security forces in Kupwara district. Four other terrorists were gunned down.

“The NIA registered a case on Wednesday and Ali was brought to Delhi late last night. A multiagency interrogation of Ali is on at a safe house in the national capital,” said an NIA official who spoke on the condition of anonymity given.

The terror suspect was on a fidayeen or suicide mission in Kashmir which has witnessed a wave of violence after security forces gunned down Burhan Wani, a poster boy of the militant Hizbul Mujahideen in the valley. Minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju termed Ali a “big terror catch” and hinted at using his confession to nail Pakistan.

A counter-terror official said the suspect was trained by the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) at its Baitul camp.

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti said on Thursday that Hizbul commander Burhan Wani may have been given a “chance” to survive if forces knew he was among the group of militants they were pursuing when they raided a house in a South Kashmir village on July 8.

Mufti seemed to suggest that forces may have backed off from killing Wani — a social media savvy rebel commander revered by a section of Kashmiris who rose in outrage following his death — for the sake of peace in the Valley.

“Considering that situation was improving in the state, I think security agencies would have given him (Burhan) a chance had they known about his presence,” she said while meeting mediapersons after the party held its foundation day celebrations.

Wani’s killing prompted weeks of violent protests that left nearly 50 people dead and scores more injured. Only this week were blanket curfews relaxed from most parts of Valley.

“Omar Abdullah knew about Afzal Guru’s hanging that is why he imposed curfew everywhere. Had we known (about any plan to kill Wani in particular), measures would have been in place”, she said.

Mehbooba also blamed “some professional elements for flaring up passions in the Valley”.

“We have come to know that there are some elements who are driving the boys towards security camps and instigating attacks and getting the innocents killed,” she said.She added that the “elements” leave the mobs before the situation gets out of control.

Assuring compensation, the CM said the families of the victims will be taken care of. “The boys are young, we hope their sacrifices yield some results and there is some headway on Kashmir,” she said.

Mehbooba also said the use of pellet guns, which have caused serious injuries to many protesters, needs a review.