Pulwama attack: NIA arrests sawmill owner

Srinagar, July 7: National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday said to have arrested one more person in connection with 14 February 2019 attack in Pulwama that left at least 40 paramilitary CRPF dead.
“One more accused namely Bilal Ahmed Kuchey son of Ghulam Nabi Kuchey of Hajibal Kakapora, Pulwama was arrested on July 5,” the NIA said in a statement.
Kuchey, the NIA said, runs a sawmill at his place and “is a (militant) associate who harboured and extended logistic support to the JeM (militants) involved in the Pulwama attack.”
“The main perpetrators in the case stayed in his house and he further introduced them to other OGWs who provided safe houses during their stay and planning of the attack,” NIA claimed, adding, “He provided the JeM militants with high-end mobile phones which were used by them to communicate with the Pakistan-based JeM leadership as well as among themselves for giving final touches to their planning and for execution of the attack.” The NIA said mobile phone provided by him was also used for recording the video clip of Fidayeen Adil Ahmed Dar, which went viral after the attack.
Kuchey was produced before NIA Special Court Jammu on July 6 and he was remanded to 10 days NIA remand for “custodial interrogation.” This is the seventh arrest made by NIA in the case so far.
“Investigation in this case is in progress,” NIA added.