Man behind CRPF camp attack was ex-militant, 'agent' for security agencies

A surrendered militant who has been a high-profile asset for several security agencies since he crossed back into the Valley in 1993 allegedly helped set up the fidayeen attack in which five CRPF men were killed on Wednesday.

Bashir Ahmad Mir from Dachi village on the Line of Control in Uri sector allegedly facilitated the infiltration of three militants "around 15-20 days ago", and helped them enter Srinagar city, sources said.

Two militants were killed during the attack in Bemina; the third, Riyaz alias Abu Talha of Multan, was captured on Thursday. Mir is being questioned by the J&K Police Special Operations Group.

The SOG reached Riyaz — holed up in a house allegedly owned by Mir's brother in Chattabal — on the basis of information provided by Mir, the sources said.

According to the sources, a mobile phone and SIM card found on the dead militants set the police on Mir's trail. Some diaries — which were also recovered along with weapons and medicines — too provided important clues.

Police were Friday looking for Pradeep Singh, a sanitary health inspector in the health department from Kanispora in Baramulla, currently posted at Tangmarg. Singh's name is learnt to have figured in Mir's investigation, and police have raided his home.

Mir was affiliated with the Al-Jihad, a now-defunct militant outfit. Sources said he crossed the LoC in 1990 for arms training, and spent three years in PoK. On his return, he surrendered to the 5 Raj Rifles, which was then deployed in Uri.

Soon afterward, Mir became an asset for security agencies. He lived close to the LoC, and developed "beneficial" contacts on the other side as well, sources said.

On Wednesday, Mir allegedly escorted the two fidayeen to the CRPF camp before returning to Uri. Police have not revealed the identities of these two militants.

ALSO READ

Russia cleans out doping closet

R R Patil as the policing force

I got out at the wrong time, says Virat Kohli

Gold futures extend gains, up 0.19% on global cues