The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday arrested a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist in connection with the attack on the CRPF camp at Lethpora in South Kashmir on December 30, 2017, in which five personnel were killed.
According to the reports, the Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist has been identified as Irshad Ahmad Reshi, who is now the fifth accused to have been arrested in the case. Reshi was a close associate of slain terrorist and JeM Commander Noor Mohammad Tantray.
Irshad Ahmad Reshi was the key conspirator in the attack who provided shelter and transport to the terrorists. He also conducted reconnaissance of the CRPF camp, Lethpora before the terrorist attack.
Earlier the NIA had arrested four accused in connection with the case, Fayaz Ahmad Magrey, Manzoor Ahmed Bhat Nisar Ahmed Tantray and Syed Hilal Andrabi.
The terrorist attack on the CRPF camp in Lethpora was carried out on December 30-31 by three terrorists belonging to the Jaish-e-Mohammad. The attack was executed to avenge the death of Noor Trali who was killed in an encounter with security forces in December 2017. Five CRPF were martyred during the incident and three others were injured during the terrorist attack.
During the investigation by the NIA, the terrorists responsible for the attack were identified as Fardeen Ahmad Khandey, Manzoor Baba and Abdul Shakoor. All three terrorists were killed in the encounter. Irshad Ahmed Reshi will be produced before a special NIA court, Jammu on April 15.
In addition to the arrest of Reshi, the Pulwama police and 55 Rashtriya Rifles on Sunday busted a terrorist hideout in Manduna village in South Kashmir’s Pulwama. The Pulwama police have registered a case, further investigation is underway.
