New Delhi, September 30, 2023: On Saturday, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted raids at multiple locations in Poonch district, Jammu & Kashmir, in connection with the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) attack that occurred in Dhangri village of Rajouri district earlier this year. The attack resulted in the tragic death of five civilians and left several others seriously injured in January.
The NIA’s operations targeted five sites in Gursai village, located in the Mendhar Tehsil of Poonch district. These locations were associated with Overground Workers (OGWs) linked to the proscribed terrorist outfit LeT. During the raids, NIA teams conducted extensive searches and seized several digital devices and documents containing incriminating data and content. These materials are currently under scrutiny to uncover the conspiracy behind the attack.
In a significant development, two individuals, Nisar Ahmed alias Haji Nisar and Mushtaq Hussain, were apprehended by the NIA on August 31, 2023, in connection with the case (RC-01/2023/NIA/JMU). Both suspects are presently detained in Central Jail, Kot Bhalwal, Jammu. Information provided by these individuals, coupled with intelligence gathered by the NIA, led to the coordinated raids conducted on Saturday.
NIA’s investigations have revealed that the arrested individuals had harbored the terrorists responsible for the deadly attack. They provided logistical support to the terrorists for over two months and offered them shelter in a concealed location they had established. According to the probe, these two individuals were operating under the instructions of LeT handlers based in Pakistan, specifically identified as Saifullah alias Sajid Jutt, Abu Qatal alias Qatal Sindhi, and Mohd. Qasim.
The case of the attack was initially registered as FIR no. 01/2023 at PS Rajouri, under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967, and Arms Act. The NIA took over and re-registered the case on January 13 and is actively conducting further investigations.
