SRINAGAR: Police on Friday claimed to have arrested three persons involved in hurling grenade in Srinagar’s Lal Chowk four days ago.
Briefing media persons, Srinagar’s senior superintendent of police Dr Haseeb Mughal said the trio affiliated with Jaish-e-Mohammad was involved in the Sunday’s attack.
“Through our digital record and other sources we have busted their module. They were associated with Jaish-e-Mohammad, one of them was working with them for three years,” Dr Haseeb told reporter.
The accused were identified as Naveed-ul-Lateef, Shakeel Ahmad of Pulwama and Shamshad Manzoor of Shopian.
Eight persons including six civilians were injured in the attack at Pratap Park in Lal Chowk.
According to the Srinagar police chief, Shakeel Ahmad Band is a close relative of former minister Khalil Band.
He said Naveed who is a meritorious student was in Srinagar preparing for NEET exams. Naveed and Shamshad have been recent recruits while Band was an operative for last three years.
Haseeb said that the trio were so much motivated by the militant outfit that on the day of their attack, they flipped a coin to decide who would hurl the grenade. There was a tiff between Naveed and Shamshad over who will hurl the grenade and earn deeds, he added.
According to Haseeb, they had carried out a recce for an hour before they lobbed the grenade in the park with an aim to target the forces.
“It was when they found forces busy in washing hands nearby that they threw the grenade,” he added.
He said investigations have found their links with the militants across the border in Pakistan. They would communicate with them by using internet through VPNs. “Life that was returning to normalcy in Srinagar but their masters did not want to see that, and these efforts are aimed at disrupting it,” he added.
“But we are ready and alert. We won’t allow them to do it. Our time-bond investigation is an example of it,” he said.
“Srinagar police is committed to ensure peace and tranquility so that all life activities take place with a sense of security in coming days. Further investigation is going on, and more arrests and recoveries are anticipated. CRPF also helped us in following the investigation in the matter.” Haseeb added.

Junaid Nabi Bazaz