3 LeT OGWs who looted 3 lakhs from J&K Bank wearing PPE kit arrested

Baramulla: Police on Saturday claimed to have solved a J&K bank heist case in north Kashmir district of Baramulla by arresting three Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) Over Ground Workers (OGWs), who were allegedly involved in the robbery.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rayees Mohammad Bhat said that the trio carried out three other bank heists this year in the valley.

''A J&K Bank branch at Khare Sherabad in Baramulla was looted by three unidentified gunmen. The accused wanted to loot more money from the bank, but due to presence of mind of the bank employees, the damage was minimized,'' Mr Bhat told reporters during a press conference in this north Kashmir district.

''Accordingly, an FIR under relevant sections of law was registered at Police Station Pattan and a special investigation team was constituted,'' he said.

He said during the course of investigation, taking aid of modern and scientific methods of investigation including CCTV footage and human intelligence, the getaway vehicle, which the accused had forcefully taken from outside the bank, and the 12 bore rifle that was snatched was recovered on Friday. ''After searching the area, we were able to recover PPE kits, which the accused used while carrying out the heist,'' he said.

He said various raids were carried out at many places in connective with the case. ''Consequently, acting on a specific input by Baramulla Police in a joint operation with 29RR arrested three militant associates of proscribed outfit LeT, identified as Rahil Ahmad Parray, resident of Kanihama, Arif Ahmad Mir, resident of Mazhama and Naseer Ahmad Bhat, resident of Singhpora,'' he said.

He said during further course of investigation, it was revealed that the arrested trio were also involved in other robberies vis­-a-vis Grameen Bank Ogmuna on March 12, 2021, Grameen Bank Panzinara on March 16, 2021 and J&K Bank Chandipora on March 24, 2021 and decamped with total cash of Rs 9,51,896.

''Investigation also revealed that the arrested trio was working on the behest and directions of local active militants Yosuf Dar alias Kantru and Abrar Nadeem Bhat linked with proscribed outfit LeT. They were also involved in looting of Rs 3,50,000 from a petrol pump at Budgam on April 18, 2021 and killing of a civilian, identified as Naseer Ahmad Khan at Buchipora Magam on April 11, 2021,'' he said.

He said on their disclosure, the recoveries made include cash Rs 24,500, one Chinese pistol, two magazines, 25 live rounds, two 12-bore rifles, three cartridges, two pouches, one multipurpose knife, three PPE kits, one weapon tying chain and three vehicles without number plate were recovered.The SSP Baramulla said the investigation into the matter is in progress.(UNI)