Explorer

Searches on to nab Pakistani LeT Terrorist Abu Ismail who masterminded Amarnath Yatra attack

Srinagar:  A search is on to nab Lashkar-e-Taiba operative called Mohammad Abu Ismail, who is suspected to have masterminded the terror attack in J&K’s Anantnag in which seven Amarnath pilgrims. Lashkar has, however, denied involvement, its spokesman Abdullah Ghaznavi calling the attack a highly reprehensible act and saying Islam does not allow violence against any faith. Reports say 26-year-old Ismail, Lashkar's deputy chief in the Valley who is active in the Shopian and Kulgam districts, may have been part of the group of four or five militants that carried out the attack. They came in two motorbikes, fired some 150 bullets at the bus and fled. Lashkar considers Ismaila as an asset. According to some reports, Lashkar Valley chief Abu Dujana has developed differences with other influential members of the group, and so the 20-something Ismail may effectively be in charge of the outfit in Kashmir. "Abu Ismail has been operating in the Valley for the past two-and-a-half years and was involved in several attacks that took place on the national highway," a source said. While Dujana, who has escaped security cordons on several occasions, remains the most wanted militant in the Valley, Ismail does not figure in the list of the 12 most wanted the army released last month. The police, however, consider Ismail an "A++" militant. Police sources said five people had been detained for questioning during raids on several houses at Botengo, the village in south Kashmir's Anantnag district where the attack took place. No formal arrests have been made so far. A hunt is on for the militants, who also injured 19 people. The site of the attack was a spot 50km from Srinagar, on the Srinagar Jammu national highway. According to the purported police report circulated on June 25 - four days before the Yatra started - Anantnag police chief Altaf Khan had informed his bosses about intelligence inputs warning of a threat to Amarnath pilgrims. Apparently, militants had been directed by their handlers in Pakistan to eliminate 100 to 150 yatris and about 100 police personnel to stoke communal tensions. "The attack may be in the form of... fire on a Yatra convoy that they (the militants) believe will result in communal tensions throughout the nation," the purported report says. "Although the nature of the input needs further corroboration, at this stage the possibility of some sensational terrorist attack cannot be ruled out." Police personnel had been put on alert to defeat the "nefarious designs of anti-national elements".
View More
Advertisement
Advertisement
25°C
New Delhi
Rain: 100mm
Humidity: 97%
Wind: WNW 47km/h
See Today's Weather
powered by
Accu Weather
Advertisement

Top Headline

Kejriwal To Stay Delhi CM From Jail As High Court Finds 'No Legal Bar,' Ball In LG's Court Now
Kejriwal To Stay Delhi CM From Jail As High Court Finds 'No Legal Bar,' Ball In LG's Court Now
'No Court Has Proved Me Guilty': Arvind Kejriwal Thanks ED Officers, Addresses Court Personally
'No Court Has Proved Me Guilty': Arvind Kejriwal Thanks ED Officers, Addresses Court Personally
Another Setback For Congress As Delhi HC Rejects Plea Against Income Tax Case
Another Setback For Congress As Delhi HC Rejects Plea Against Income Tax Case
ED Raids Relative Of Arvind Kejriwal's Wife In Old FEMA Case
ED Raids Relative Of Arvind Kejriwal's Wife In Old FEMA Case
Advertisement
for smartphones
and tablets

Videos

Bihar Lok Sabha Polls 2024: ABP Exclusive With Papu Yadav, MP No Longer Contesting From PurniaVarun Gandhi Pens Emotional Letter To Pilibhit After Being Denied, Says 'Mai Aapka Hu Aur Rahunga'Delhi Excise Policy Case: With CM Arvind Kejriwal's Arrest, Who Will Run The State | Watch ReportLok Sabha Elections 2024: 'BJP Just Wants To Break The Aam Aadmi Party' says Saurabh Bhardwaj

Photogallery

Embed widget