Four arrested for helping Pakistan militant escape

srinagar — Police on Thursday said it has arrested four Kashmiri militants who helped a Pakistani terrorist break free from a Srinagar hospital even as a special investigation team was formed to probe the “criminal conspiracy” behind the dramatic escape.

Additional Director General of Police Munir Khan said the arrested militants told police that the planning to help Naveed Jat alias Abu Hunzullah, a dreaded Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist, escape had started four months back. He said searches were carried out at several places in south Kashmir’s Pulwama and Shopian districts during which the four — two active militants Tika Khan and Kachru and two of their overground workers — were arrested. The four arrested were paraded before the media.

The LeT terrorist escaped after militants, in broad daylight, attacked and killed two policemen escorting him to Srinagar’s SMHS Hospital. The police officer said the probe team on the basis of “scientific evidence” could ascertain who were involved in the “criminal conspiracy”.

“They were identified, raids were conducted. We apprehended two terrorists and two overground workers. After their arrest we are left with Naveed and another terrorist (Hilal),” Khan told reporters.

He said the conspirators had initially planned Naveed’s escape from a south Kashmir court in Pulwama but failed. —