Monitor News Bureau
Srinagar: Police on Thursday claimed to have unearthed the “conspiracy” that led to the escape of Pakistani militant, Naveed, from the SMHS Hospital earlier this week. “Three militants and an over-ground worker (OGW)” have been arrested.
Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Muneer Khan, told the media that the “conspiracy was hatched four months ago” with “frequent visits” to Naveed in the Central Jail and “exchange of phone calls” between him and the militants.
Addressing a press conference here, he said a Special Investigative Team (SIT) of police was formed right after the incident, leading to the arrest of “three militants and an OGW”.
“We have arrested three militants named Shakil Ahmed, Tika Khan, and Syed Tajamul alias Rahil Kachroo, and an OGW Muhammad Shafi who provided vehicle and a bike to ensure the escape of Naveed,” Khan said.
The ADGP claimed that a Hizbul Mujahideen militant Hilal Ahmad Rather also helped in the act.
“On the day of the incident, all the accused, as per the plan, moved towards the hospital and took their respective positions, waiting for the arrival of Naveed,” he said.
“At about 11:30 am, the police team carrying Naveed arrived in the hospital, while their movement was being closely monitored by the accused persons, who had mixed with the attendants and patient.
“As Naveed was taken inside the hospital, the gang members rushed and fired from a very close range, taking the advantage of a huge rush of patients and attendants. They managed to escape along with Naveed from the police custody,” he said.
Khan clarified that Naveed did not “snatch” the gun, but “a loaded pistol was dropped by Hilal in his pocket, and he used to fire at the police officer”.
Khan said that Tika Khan visited the Central Jail on “different pretexts” and had met Naveed.
There were also phone calls exchanged between Naveed and the rest of the gang from the Central Jail, he said.
“However, the final planning to affect the conspiracy was done just a few weeks back at the residence of Tika Khan,” he said.
As per Khan, the “initial plan” was to help Naveed escape from Pulwama Court. However, the militants failed, he said.
“It was decided that on the day of medical check-up, the gang members will go to SHMS Hospital in a Maruti car and Pulsar bike. Naveed made use of the bike to escape from the spot. Shakeel was riding the motorcycle, Naveed was in the middle and Hilal was at the back,” Khan said.
Hilal suspended, Kakar is new Superintendent Central jail
Srinagar, Feb 8: Government on Thursday suspended a top officer of central jail Srinagar in connection with the shootout that left two policemen dead while as LeT commander Naveed Jaat alias Abu Hanzullah escaped.
“Pending inquiry into the incident on Feb 6, 2018, at SMHS hospital, Srinagar, leading to the death of two constables and escape of a militant, Hilal Ahmad Rather, Superintendent, Central Jail, Srinagar, is hereby placed under suspension, with immediate effect,” a government order issued by the Principal Secretary Home Department said.
after his suspension, government on Thursday posted Mukesh Kumar Kakar as new Superintendent of Central jail Srinagar, after it placed Hilal Ahmed Rather under suspension, sources said.
A government issued in this regard said that the services of Mukesh Kumar Kakar, Additional SP Police Component, Anantnag, are placed at the disposal of the Prisons Department with immediate effect.
“Consequent upon the above, Mukesh Kumar Kakar is posted as Superintendent, Central jail, Srinagar,” the order said.
Earlier government suspended Hilal Ahmed Rather who was Superintendent of Central Jail Srinagar after the escapade of LeT militant from SMHS Hospital in which two cops were killed in a shootout.
“Pending inquiry into the incident on Feb 6, 2018, at SMHS hospital, Srinagar, leading to the death of two constables and escape of a militant, Mr Hilal Ahmad Rather, Superintendent, Central Jail, Srinagar, is hereby placed under suspension, with immediate effect,” a government order issued by the Principal Secretary Home Department said.
The order according further said that the officer shall remain attached with Director General of Police, Prisons, till further orders.
After escape, Naveed releases photo with Hizb militant
Srinagar, Feb 8: Two days after his escape, amid shootout in SMHS hospital here in Srinagar, LeT Commander Naveed Jaat alias Abu Hanzullah released a picture along with two Hizbul Mujahideen militants Sadam Paddar and Aadil Malik on social media.
Paddar, a Hizb commander, hailing from Shopian, is one of the two surviving militants who often posted with Burhan Wani, the Hizb commander who was killed in 2016, triggering of unrest in Kashmir Valley that lasted several months leading to the killing of nearly 80 civilians and injuring thousands of others in government forces action.
In the latest picture, Naveed is seen holding an AK-47 rifle along with two top commanders.
Naveed Jaat escaped police custody after a shootout in SMHS hospital on Tuesday that left two policemen dead.
The picture has been released as police claimed to have arrested at least 10 persons who facilitated Naveed’s escape from custody after four years.
SSP Shopian Sri Ram Ambarkar when contacted said that the pictures apparently look fresh and we are verifying them.
In an emailed statement yesterday, Lashkar spokesperson Dr. Abdullah Ghazanwi hailed close coordination among various militant outfits in getting Naveed escape from SMHS hospital.
LeT had called the episode as the “apex of Mujahideen’s strategy, planning, and commitment to their cause”. (GNS)
