Pak-based LeT behind series of explosions in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri; two arrested

Pakistanbased LashkareTaiba LeT outfit was behind the recent series of explosions in Jammu and Kashmirs Rajouri district police said on Tuesday claiming to have solved the case with the arrest of two of its operatives while the search is on for the main accusedA huge cache of explosive material including five improvised explosive devices IEDs was recovered at the disclosure of the arrested accused Additional Director General of Police ADGP Jammu Mukesh Singh saidTwin explosions rocked Kotrana town of Rajouri on March 26 and another on April 19 leaving two persons injuredTwo more persons were injured in another blast that took place in ShahpurBudhal area of Rajouri on April 24Working on leads joint teams of Rajouri Police and 60 Rashtriya Rifles 14 Sector conducted multiple raids and search operations at various locations in Larkoti Targain Jaglanoo and Draaj areas of Rajouri and apprehended two suspects Mohd Shabir and Mohd Sadiq of DraajBudhal village the ADGP saidDuring investigation he said it came to the fore that three accused Talib Shah also of Draaj village of Budhal area Shabir and Sadiq were involved in these incidents of blasts he saidThese individuals working on the directions of their Pakistanbased handlers received weapons ammunition explosives and later used these IEDs to trigger blasts Singh saidHe said it has surfaced during preliminary investigation that the group is headed by Shah who has collected three consignments of arms ammunition and explosives from the LamberiKalakote area in the months of January March and AprilShabir and Sadiq have been arrested and the third accused Shah is absconding Shah is the commander of LeT in general area Rajouri and the mastermind of all terrorist activities in the Pir Panjal area the police official saidHe said Shah has also motivated many youths for carrying out terror activities in RajouriShabir and Sadiq were also motivated by Shah to conduct terror activities Shah has remained instrumental in almost all terror incidents in Pir Panjal districts in last two to three years the Jammu region police chief said announcing a suitable reward for anyone sharing credible information leading to the arrest of ShahSingh said it was also revealed that this group was sheltering a few Kashmirbased active terrorists of LeT in the general area of KandiBudhal and was making efforts to revive militancy in Pir Panjal districts of Rajouri and PoonchThis is a big achievement for police and security forces as the blasts had triggered panic in the area and these accused were also planning more such incidents to target security forces The arrest of two associates of Shah is a big blow to the terror outfit LeT the ADGP saidDuring preliminary questioning he said the arrested accused disclosed that they had hidden some explosive materials at Draaj forest and subsequently a joint search operation was carried out by police and 60 Rashtriya Rifles which led to the recovery of five IEDs five remote controls 10 fuses and 19 battery cellsThe accused are also suspected to be involved in some more criminal and subversive activities for which they are being subjected to sustained interrogation Arrest of Shah is very crucial in solving many militancy and criminal cases that have occurred during the past few years in the Pir Panjal area Singh saidThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever