The alleged JeM militant Shakir Bashir Magrey
In a major breakthrough, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Friday arrested a Jaish-e-Mohammed operative in connection with the Pulwama terror attack. The accused Shakir Bashir Magrey had provided shelter and other logistical assistance to suicide bomber Adil Ahmad Dar.
"Today, in a major breakthrough in Pulwama case, NIA arrested one accused Shakir Bashir Magrey, an Over-Ground Worker of JeM. He had provided shelter and other logistical assistance to the suicide-bomber Adil Ahmad Dar, " NIA said in a statement today.
"He has revealed that he had harbored Adil Ahmad Dar & Pakistani terrorist Mohd Umar Farooq in his house from late 2018 till the attack in Feb 2019 and assisted them in the preparation of the IED. He has been remanded to 15 days of NIA custody for detailed interrogation," the statement further read.
Magrey was also involved in modifying the Maruti Eeco car and fitting IED to it in early February, 2019, they said.
During investigation, the make, model and number of the car used in the attack was quickly ascertained to be a Maruti Eeco car through forensic tests of the tiny remnants of the vehicle, which were seized from the spot during extensive searches, the NIA said, adding this has been corroborated by Magrey.
The explosives used in the attack were determined through forensic probe to be ammonium nitrate, nitro-glycerin and RDX. Investigation has also confirmed the identity of the suicide bomber to be Adil Ahmad Dar through DNA matching with that of his father.
The other key terrorists involved in the attack have been found to be Muddasir Ahmad Khan, JeM's Divisional Commander of South Kashmir killed in an operation by security forces on March 11, last year; Pakistani terrorists — Muhammad Umar Farooq and IED expert Kamran, both killed on March 29 last year; the owner of the car — Sajjad Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Anantnag who was killed on June 16 last year and Qari Yassir, JeM’s Commander for Kashmir who was killed on January 25 this year.
The attack on the CRPF convoy, moving from Jammu towards Srinagar on February 14 last year in Pulwama, with an IED-laden vehicle by Jaish terrorist Dar had claimed lives of 40 CRPF personnel and grievously injured many others.
Magrey was produced before the NIA Special Court at Jammu on Friday and remanded to 15 days in NIA custody for his detailed interrogation. Further probe was underway.
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