Amarnath terror attack: Kashmir Police reiterates Lashkar involvement

Jammu and Kashmir [India], August 6 (ANI): The Kashmir Police on Sunday made it clear that the Amarnath pilgrim attack that shook the whole nation, was carried out by Pakistani terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) only.

Addressing the media, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Munir Khan said that they stick to their initial statement that LeT was involved in the attacks.

"In our initial statement after the attack we said Lashkar was involved and also that the accused has been identified. So, today after the investigation has been almost completed we stick to that stand. Lashkar was involved and the accused has been identified," IGP Khan said.

Khan emphasized the fact that on the day of the attack, the Police didn't have any knowledge about the "ground work" of this particular group.

"We never knew how the attack was planned, where it was planned and who provided the logistics for them but once the investigation was started it was revealed that Ismail Kod Harun, a Pakistani militant of Lashkar and along with him two other Pakistani militants and one local Kashmiri militant carried out the actual attack," he said.

He also said that a few days back two militants were killed in a "chance" encounter and the Police had claimed that they were suspects in the pilgrim attacks as well, for that IGP khan said, "Their involvement is investigated and is under progress."

"Our emphasis is to investigate the cases, crack them and bring the investigation to a logical conclusion," Khan said.

As many as seven people were killed and fifteen others injured after a group of terrorists opened fire on a bus carrying 17 pilgrims from Baltal to Mir Bazar earlier on July 11.

A group of terrorists had earlier opened fire at a bus carrying the Amarnath pilgrims in the Anantnag district and killed seven pilgrims including five women.

The incident occurred on July 11 at 8:20 pm when the bus, carrying 17 pilgrims from Baltal to Mir Bazar, became victim to the terror attack. (ANI)