Foiled car bomb attack was attempted re-run of Pulwama-2019, reveals initial probe

The Jammu and Kashmir Police which is probing the foiled car bomb attack case has found similarities in modus operandi and nature of explosives that were used in the suicide bombing in Pulwama in 2019.

In its probe in the foiled Pulwama car bomb attack, the Jammu and Kashmir Police, assisted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), has reportedly found stark similarities in modus operandi and nature of explosives that were used in the 2019 suicide bombing in the district.

There were intelligence inputs about plans of Hizb-ul Mujahideen and Jaish-e-Mohammed terror groups to repeat an attack similar to the February-14 strike on the CRPF convoy that left 40 personnel dead, Inspector General of Police (Kashmir range) Vijay Kumar had said on Thursday.

JAISH LINK

The first common link is said to be Mohammed Ismail alias Fauji Baba/ Lambu/Adnan. Ismail is currently the top Jaish commander in Kashmir. One of the many names of the nephew of global terrorist Maulana Masood Azhar, Ismail is originally a resident of Bahawalpur. An IED expert, his role is under scanner for both Pulwama 2020 and now the 2019 case.

Fauji Baba and Walid, another Pakistani terrorist, are said to be involved in the foiled attack.

LOCAL LINK

Pakistan has repeatedly tried to push narrative of home-grown militancy in Kashmir Valley, which has resulted in Jaish’s attempt to recruit locals.

In February 2019, the name of Sameer Ahmed Dar, Jaish’s second-in command in the Valley, hit the headlines after a link to Pulwama bomber Adil Ahmed Dar emerged. Sameer, a resident of Kakapora in South Kashmir, and Adil, 22, reportedly together actively joined terror ranks in 2018.

In May 2020, Hidayatullah Malik, another local from Kashmir, is the face of the Pulwama re-run attempt.

USE OF RDX

Though investigations are currently underway, the forensic laboratory has confirmed that RDX was used in the Thursday incident in Pulwama. Nitric salt, ammonium nitrate and nitro glycerine was used as the explosive. The debris of the Hyundai Santro car, which was destroyed along with explosives in a controlled manner, went up 50 metres in the air which suggested that around 45 kgs explosives could have been used, Kashmir IG Vijay Kumar said on Thursday.

In 2019, terrorists used 220 kg in Pulwama and the module had used ammonium nitrate and ammonium powder locally in small tranches. They had managed to smuggle military grade RDX from across the border.

In both cases, investigations were able to note down chassis and engine number of the vehicles though unsuccessful attempts were made. These proved to be vital clues.

As investigation gathers pace, a small team of the NIA is assisting the Jammu and Kashmir Police but a final call is yet to be taken on whether the case will be handed over.

Meanwhile, the agency, which has been probing the February 2019 case, is expected to file chargesheet in the case in July, with crucial arrests made. .