The Jammu and Kashmir Police, on Monday, 29 January, filed a chargesheet against the Pakistan-based Lashker-e-Taiba terror group and 11 people for conspiring and carrying out the July 2017 Amarnath Yatra attack, in which eight pilgrims lost their lives.
The 1,600-page chargesheet was filed under various sections of the Ranbir Penal Code (similar to Indian Penal Code, but applicable only in Jammu and Kashmir) and the anti-terror Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act before a sessions court in Anantnag, an official spokesperson said.
The probe, "based on technical and oral evidence", was completed in a record six months time by the Special Investigating Team headed by Deputy Inspector General of Police (South Kashmir) SP Pani, an official said.
The 11 people named in the chargesheet include a juvenile, he said. The chargesheet against the juvenile was filed before the Chief Judicial Magistrate (Juvenile Court) in Anantnag.
Eight pilgrims were killed when LeT terrorists fired indiscriminately on a bus carrying pilgrims in the outskirts of Anantnag on 10 July, last year. The devotees were on their way back to Jammu after the pilgrimage.
Those named in the chargesheet are Aijaz Ahmad Wagay, Bilal Ahmad Reshi, Zahoor Ahmad Sheikh, the juvenile (name withheld), Khalid Muzaffar Dar, Tanveer Ahmad Dar, Sarjeel Ahmad Sheikh and Yawar Bashir Wani. The three alleged Lashker terrorists in the list are Abu Ismail, Maaviya and Furqan (all residents of Pakistan).
Of the 11, four men – Abu Ismail, Yawar Bashir, Maaviya and Furqaan – were killed in two different encounters, last year.
Three of them – Khalid Muzafar Dar, Tanveer Ahmad Dar and Sarjeel Ahmad Shiekh – are absconding. The juvenile is out on bail and the remaining three are in judicial custody.
The investigations were carried out by Superintendent of Police Tahir Ashraf Bhatti under Pani's supervision.
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)