TRC grenade case solved, 3 arrested: IGP Kashmir

Srinagar, Nov 8: The Jammu and Kashmir Police Friday said that the case related to the grenade blast near The Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) in Srinagar was solved by arresting the three accused from Srinagar uptown.

Addressing the media persons, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, Vidhi Kumar Birdi said that the three arrested youth from the Ikhrajpora area of Srinagar had lobbed the grenade in the busy Sunday Market.

“Their sole aim was to disturb the prevailing peace in Kashmir. They lobbed the grenade on the direction of their handlers in Pakistan,” Birdi said.

He said that the arrested youth were associated with the Lashklar-e-Toiba (LeT) outfit.

The Police solved the case within five days.

At least 12 civilians were injured in a grenade blast near the TRC in Srinagar on November 3.

“Out of the injured civilians, two were severely injured and both were from Bandipora district,” the IGP Kashmir said.

He identified them as Abida and Habibullah.

“Abida has young children who are dependent on her and Habibullah who was injured in the grenade attack has a bedridden son at home. Habibullah is the bread earner of his house,” Birdi said.

He said that Srinagar Police worked hard to gather evidence and assigned tasks to their teams.

“The terrorists and their associates who carried out this shameful incident have been arrested and identified as well,” the IGP Kashmir said.

He identified the arrested persons as Usama Yaseen Sheikh, 28, son of Muhammad Yaseen of Ikhrajpora, Srinagar; Umar Fayaz Sheikh, 25, son of Fayaz Ahmad Sheikh of Ikhrajpora, Srinagar; and Afnan Mansoor Naik, 27, son of Manzoor Ahmad of Watoo, at present in Ikhrajpora, Srinagar.

Birdi said that a case under UAPA was registered at Kothi Bagh Police Station in Srinagar.

“The arrested persons will face strict action as per the law and will be severely punished,” he said.

The case is registered under FIR No 66/2024 at Kothibagh Police Station under Sections 16 of UAPA, 209, 115 BNS, and 3/4 of the Explosive Substances Act.

On whether the grenade was meant to be lobbed at the place or the attackers missed the target, the IGP Kashmir said that most of the injured who were targeted were civilians.

“As you saw on the spot, it was lobbed in the middle of the market. It was lobbed near the vendors where people were busy shopping,” IGP Kashmir said.

Meanwhile, Police in a statement said that one of the arrested, Usama Sheikh was already listed as an Over Ground Worker (OGW) and had a history of involvement in terror-related activities.

“Sheikh executed the grenade while the other two provided logistical support,” the Police said.

Briefing about the Sopore encounter, the IGP Kashmir said that on Thursday evening, the J&K Police and other security forces received a report about terrorist movement in the Sagipora area of Sopore that falls under the jurisdiction of Bomai Police Station.

“The security forces cordoned the area and during searches, terrorists fired bullets at them. But the security forces and the Police properly evacuated the residents of the area,” he said.

Birdi said that post evacuation of the locals, the gunfight broke out in the area till late evening and the firing resumed on Friday morning.

“The operation was completed in the first half of Friday and two terrorists were killed by the security forces,” he said.

The IGP Kashmir said that they had recovered arms, ammunition, and other incriminating documents from the spot.

“Further investigation is going on,” the IGP Kashmir said.