Srinagar: In connection with recent Nagrota militant attack, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) assisted by Jammu Kashmir Police and Central Reserve Police Force raided several locations in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Wednesday.
These raids were conducted in Drabgam, Kakpora, Qasbayar and Karimabad. Sources told Kashmir News Trust NIA sleuths raided that house of an alleged Jaish-e-Muhammad militant Zahid Ahmed Shiekh at Karimabad village of Pulwama. The raids were conducted in the houses of some civilians as well.
These raids are taking place nearly a month after the NIA started investigating the Nagrota encounter case.
On January 31, three militants were killed and a policeman sustained injures in an encounter after the truck they were travelling in was intercepted by the police at a toll plaza on Jammu-Srinagar national highway. A truck driver, whom police identified as Sameer Ahmed Dar and called an ‘over-ground’ worker was arrested and questioned. He according to police was transporting these 3 non-local slain militants.
Police sources said that NIA team raided the house of active Jaish militant Zahid Ahmed Sheikh at Karimabad and during the raid questioned the inmates. The team also searched the house, but found nothing objectionable. Pertinently, after the Nagrota attack, Sohaib Ahmed-the brother of Jaish militant Zahid Ahmed was picked up by NIA for questioning and he is still in NIA custody.
Sources further informed KNT that NIA during its raid in Drabgam area of Pulwama arrested a student, identified as Zubair Ahmed Bhat son of Ali Muhammad.
With the arrest of Zubair, the number of persons arrested by NIA in connection with Nagrota attacked has gone up to six.
NIA also conducted raids in Wagoora Khansahab area of Central Kashmir’s Budgam district. Sources said that at least four persons were questioned during the raid. An official said that raid was also conducted at the house of Jaish associate Suhail Ahmed in Wagora village. (KNT)
