Surankote grenade attack: SIA files chargesheet against two terrorists

JAMMU: J&K State Investigation Agency (SIA) filed a chargesheet against two terrorists — a Pakistan-based Hizbul Mujahideen operative and his relative, a Jammu Kashmir Ghaznavi Force (JKGF) affiliate — in connection with the grenade attack on a temple in Poonch’s Surankote belt on Nov 15, 2023.

The accused were identified as Nazir Ahmed and Abdul Aziz , both natives of Safeda, Surankote. “Investigations revealed that Abdul had carried out the grenade attack on instructions from Nazir, who has been operating from Pakistan,” an SIA spokesperson said.

“Nazir had gone to Pakistan in 2001, where he joined Hizbul Mujahideen, and later became associated with JKGF. Towards the end of 2022, he re-established contact with Abdul (his relative) through encrypted messaging applications and radicalised Abdul into joining JKGF to further the proscribed outfit’s terror agenda,” the spokesperson said, adding: “After indoctrinating Abdul, Nazir supplied him with hand grenades and detailed instructions to execute the Surankote attack.”

The investigation revealed a wider conspiracy by Hizbul Mujahideen to destabilise the Union territory of J&K. “The act aimed to spread terror, incite communal violence, and undermine public peace by creating fear among common people,” the spokesperson said.

Abdul was arrested in Oct last year with two hand grenades during a joint operation by the Army’s 37RR and CRPF’s 38Bn. During the probe, one more grenade was recovered from his house. His accomplice, Hussain, was also arrested along with a pistol, one magazine and nine rounds, police said.