Srinagar: Two days after dramatic escape of LeT’s commander Naveed Jatt amid shootout in SMHS hospital here, police on Thursday said two militants and as many over ground worker (OGW) were by Special Investigation Team formed in connection with the incident.
Addressing a presser here, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Munir Ahmed Khan, also claimed that the ‘conspiracy’ to ‘free’ Muhammad Naveed Jutt alias Abu Hanzala was hatched inside Srinagar Central Jail about four months before it was executed outside the OPD of a Srinagar hospital on February 6.
“Immediately after the incident a special investigation team was constituted. During the raids the police apprehended tw
o militants, Shakeel Ahmad Bhat of Lelhar Kakapora, Pulwama, Tika Khan of Singu Narbal Pulwama and OGWs Syed Tajamul of Pahu Pulwama and Mohd Shafi wani of Singu Narbal, Pulwama”.
“We are left with Naveed and Hilal Ahmad Rather of Bagh Khan mohalla Kakapora, Pulwama. We are looking for them,” Khan said.
He said the arrested persons made certain disclosures that the conspiracy was initiated around four months ago. He said Tika Khan and Hilal Ahmad Rather used to visit jail and they were in constant touch with Naveed on mobile phones. He said they visited jail three times.
He said on February 6, these guys came to Srinagar and took position outside the hospital. “They had brought motor cycle and car. Both Hilal and Naveed fired at constables.”
“So far we have been able to break who did it. The SIT has done its job professionally. This particular case requires professional investigation”, he added.
“One militant Hilal (outsider militant) handed over pistol to Naveed in the SMHS hospital and then he fired upon policemen, resulting killing of the duo. “Our in-charge ASI was also there but he didn’t fire as he was surrounded by the patients and attendants. The kingpin of this conspiracy was Tikka Khan,” he said.
Khan said that Hilal, Shakeel and Tikka Khan were the masterminds of the whole conspiracy. “Tikka Khan had also frequently visited the central jail Srinagar and was in contact with Naveed Jhat, more over the gang was in communication using mobile phone during the conspiracy stage, reveals the investigation.”
During investigation, he said, it has also surfaced that the conspiracy regarding the escape of the Naveed was hatched some four months back from the central jail.
One Maruti car and a pulsar bike have been recovered and seized during the course of investigation, he said.
When showed the picture of the Naveed Jatt which has gone viral on social media khan said, “I don’t look at these pictures because this case requires professional investigation, I will not comment on anything that is not confirmed.”
“They took four months to plan the attack but I appreciate our officers who cracked the case within this limited time. We could’ve fired in hospital as it would’ve killed civilians. We are Police officers, not (militants); we don’t believe in killing innocents,” Khan said.
He said that these arrested persons also tried to free him inside Pulwama court some time back. However, they did not succeed. All the youth were arrested from Kakpora area of district Pulwama.
