Reasi Terror Attack | NIA conducts searches in Rajouri

Jammu, June 30: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday searched multiple locations in Rajouri district of Jammu & Kashmir in connection with the Reasi terrorist attack.

According to a statement by the agency, it searched five locations linked with hybrid terrorists and Over Ground Workers (OGWs).

Terrorists had opened fire at a bus carrying yatris from Shiv Khori to Katra on the evening of June 9 in the Pouni area of Reasi district, causing the bus to fall into a nearby gorge, killing nine people, including a child.

NIA took over the investigation on June 15 on orders from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.

The locations, where the searches were conducted by NIA, were pointed out by the arrested accused, Hakam Khan alias Hakin Din. Hakam had provided them (terrorists) with safe shelter, logistics and food, as per NIA investigations.

The searches, conducted as part of the NIA probe in the case (RC-02/2024/NIA/JMU), led to the seizure of various items showing linkages between the terrorists and OGWs.

“NIA has started examining the seized material to unravel the terror conspiracy,” the statement mentioned.

The accused Hakam Din was arrested on June 19 in Reasi.

“The arrested associate Hakam Din had helped the terrorists on several occasions in the past also by providing them with food, shelter and other logistics,” stated Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Reasi Mohita Sharma, in a press conference, following his arrest.

“He had harboured the terrorists as his residence. Besides, he acted as a guide and took them to the site of the attack. This associate of terrorists played a primary role in helping them (terrorists) execute this heinous act (attack on pilgrims’ bus in Reasi),” SSP had said.

“Over 150 suspects have been arrested so far in this case, in the district based on inputs received and technical evidence,” SSP Mohita had informed.