The owner of the vehicle used in the Pulwama terror attack has been identified. He is a member of Jaish-e-Mohammed terror outfit, the National Investigative Agency (NIA) on Monday said.
An NIA spokesman said the probe agency has made a significant breakthrough in the probe by identifying the vehicle and its owner after piecing together remnants of the car recovered from the scene of the blast.
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Officials said that NIA has made a significant breakthrough in the investigation into the terror attack on CRPF convoy that took place on February 14 in which more than 40 jawans were killed when a Jaish suicide bomber rammed the explosive-laden Eeco into one of the buses.
NIA: Sajjad Bhat (owner of vehicle used in #PulwamaAttack) has reportedly joined Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). (Pic courtesy: NIA) pic.twitter.com/NGRxTb7Wb7
— ANI (@ANI) February 25, 2019
“A Maruti Eeco vehicle having Chassis number MA3ERLF1SOO183735 Engine G12BN164140 was sold to Mohammad Jaleel Ahmed Haqani, a resident of Heaven colony, Anantnag in the year 2011. It subsequently exchanged hands seven times and finally reached Sajjad Bhat, son of Mohammad Maqbool Bhat, resident of Bijbehara, district Anantnag, who had acquired the vehicle on February 4. Sajjad was a student of Siraj-ul-Uloom, Shopain,” the spokesman said.
He said after getting details, a raid was conducted by NIA team at his house with the help of J&K Police on Saturday.
“Sajjad was found not present in his house and thereafter has been evading arrest since then. He has reportedly now joined Jaish-e-Mohammad. A photograph to this effect has also appeared in social media where Sajjad is seen holding weapons,’ the spokesman said.
On Monday morning, the picture of Sajjad alias Afzal Guru who according to the picture was part of fidayeen squad went viral on the social media. In the picture he was carrying Ak 47 rifles, grenades and pistols.
Meanwhile, four of the five CRPF personnel injured in the attack have been discharged. One soldier is still undergoing treatment at 92 Base Hospital in Srinagar.
(With Agency Inputs)