State Investigation Agency (SIA) Kashmir has achieved a major success in its anti-terrorism efforts and has issued an Interpol Red Corner Notice against a Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist in the 2013 Tarju terror attack case. This notice has been issued against terrorist Imtiaz Ahmed Kandu alias Fayaz alias Sajjad. This is being considered an important milestone in the investigation of Tarju terrorist attack. In fact, the issuance of the Red Corner Notice is evidence of the meticulous and professional investigation conducted by SIA Kashmir.
Issuance of Interpol Red Corner Notice against such a terrorist is a major operational and investigative achievement for SIA Kashmir. This notice will help international law enforcement agencies to locate the accused, detain him and initiate the legal process of extradition by bringing him to India and facing trial.
Investigation was handed over to SIA Kashmir in 2024
This case is related to the terrorist attack that took place on 26 April 2013 in Peer Mohalla of Hygam area of Sopore. At that time, terrorists armed with automatic weapons had attacked the police party, in which four Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel were martyred. This was one of the most serious terrorist attacks on security forces during that period. This case was initially registered at Tarju Police Station, Sopore and later handed over to SIA Kashmir in 2024 for detailed investigation.
Chargesheet filed against 6 accused
After detailed investigation including meticulously collecting and analyzing evidence, interrogating witnesses and connecting the links of the conspiracy, SIA Kashmir completed its investigation. The agency added more crimes on the basis of new evidence and filed a charge sheet against 6 accused in the competent trial court in July 2024. However, during the investigation and subsequent operations, two accused in the case, Tariq Ahmed Mir, resident of Kalamabad, Handwara and Qayum Nazar, resident of Batapora, Sopore, were killed in an encounter with security forces.
Accused Imtiaz Ahmed Kandu fled to Pakistan
At the same time, Javed Ahmed Mattoo of Sopore, Rauf Nazar and Ahmedullah Malla, resident of Dalal Mohalla of Srinagar, were arrested and their case is pending. The sixth and main accused in this case, Imtiaz Ahmed Kandu, is currently absconding. It is believed that he has fled to Pakistan. Imtiaz Ahmed Kandu, a resident of Kraltang, Sopore, has been an active member and commander of the banned terrorist organization Hizbul Mujahideen since 2010. Due to his continuous involvement in terrorist activities, the Government of India had declared him a terrorist in October 2022.
Kandu is wanted in 10 terrorist cases
The investigation by SIA Kashmir conclusively proved that Kandu had an active and key role in the Tarju terrorist attack and also revealed his involvement in a larger network of terrorist activities. Apart from this case, he is wanted in at least 10 more terrorist cases, which include terrorist attacks, murders, smuggling of arms and ammunition and narco-terror financing. However, despite continuous efforts of law enforcement agencies, he continued to evade arrest.
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