Multi-agency investigation launched
Various Central intelligence agencies, including Intelligence Bureau (IB) and National Investigation Agency (NIA) as well as the special intelligence wings of the Army and paramilitary forces, have joined the ongoing investigation into the alleged nexus between separatist militants and a group of Jammu and Kashmir policemen.
Three J&K policemen were earlier this week arrested under Sections 10, 13 and 18 of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and Section 3 of Police Enhanced Penalties Ordinance following the sensational revelation that they were sharing vital information, including the one accessed by the law enforcing authorities about various attacks carried out by militants with one of the outfits.
Police sources here said that the officials of NIA, IB and the special intelligence branches of the BSF and CRPF, besides the Army, have also been associated in the ongoing investigation into the arrested policemen’s role. However, the sources said that it would be too early to say if any more policemen are involved in the nexus or not. “So far, three policemen have been taken into custody and their conduct is being scrutinised. Various Central agencies too have been associated with the ongoing investigation,” a J&K police spokesperson said.
A report from New Delhi had earlier said that the arrest of J&K policemen for alleged links with militants has caused serious concern to the Central security agencies which suspect that they may have been involved in gun-running and extortion in connivance with some senior officers of the force. It added that these agencies have sought access to the arrested policemen but the state police wants to complete its preliminary investigation into the matter before giving access to them. The wire report had quoted director-general of J&K police K. Rajendra Kumar as saying, “We will be providing access to all of them once our preliminary probe is over. After all it is the Jammu and Kashmir police which blew the cover over this.”
The police identified the arrested cops as constables Muhammad Abbas, Riaz Ahmed and Muhammad Ilyas.
The role of another policeman Mukhtar Sheikh, who was booked in the aftermath of 26/11 attacks in Mumbai but the case against him was dropped later, is also being investigated.
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