New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a 535-page chargesheet in Jammu on Friday against arrested accused Maneer Ahmed and three Pakistani terrorists killed during a February 22 gunfight in Kishtwar. The agency alleges Ahmed sheltered members of a Jaish-e-Muhammed (JeM)-linked group and said its investigation traced the conspiracy to Pakistan.
The case concerns the February 22 attack at Wani Mohalla, Passer Kote, in Kishtwar’s Chatroo area. The chargesheet was submitted to the NIA special court in Jammu.
Ahmed, son of Mohammad Yousuf Koli and a resident of Naidgam in the Inderwal area, is accused of voluntarily harbouring and concealing terrorists involved in attacks on security forces and civilians. The agency invoked provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, against him.
JeM commander among the killed
The three killed terrorists included Saifullah, whom the NIA identified as a Pakistani national and commander of the proscribed JeM. It listed Saifullah Kashmiri, Atiq Nazir and Atiq Ur Rehman as his aliases. The other two terrorists were not named in the public statement.
According to the NIA, Saifullah led a Kashmir Tigers module, also known as the Azrael Group, operating under JeM. The agency alleges the group carried out several attacks in Kishtwar’s upper reaches, killing security personnel and local residents, and that Ahmed provided support.
The chargesheet also cites penal provisions relating to waging war against India and a conspiracy allegedly planned across the border against the three killed terrorists.
Encounter and cross-border investigation
The three were killed when security forces returned fire during the February 22 encounter, according to the NIA. The engagement formed part of Operation Trashi-I, involving the Indian Army, Jammu & Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force.
Three AK-47 rifles were recovered from the encounter site, as RNA Media reported earlier. Security forces had been pursuing the group through difficult mountainous terrain before the gunfight.
The NIA said its investigation, described as spanning almost five months, traced the alleged conspiracy to Pakistan. It has, however, not identified any Pakistani state institution as its organizer.