J&K police cracks twin Udhampur bus blasts case, says “Pakistani terror handler planned blasts with an eye on Amit Shah’s visit”

Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir Police have cracked twin Udhampur bus blasts ahead of two-day visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah starting from October 4.

Director General of Police, Dilbag Singh flanked by Additional Director General of Police Jammu Zone addressing a press conference here this evening said, "two blasts took place in parked buses, one at Baigra Petrol pump near Domail Chowk and other at old bus stand in Udhampur district."

On September 28, Singh said that at around 10:30 PM an IED blast took place inside a bus, which plies on Basantgarh to Udhampur via Ramnagar route, parked at a petrol pump near Domail Chowk in Udhampur in which two persons got injured and few other parked vehicles got damaged.

However, on September 29, similar kind of explosion took place in another bus, which also ply on route from Ramnagar to Udhampur and was parked in old Bus stand Udhampur, causing damage, he said adding that cases were registered in both the incidents and investigation started by Sahil Mahajan DySP Hqrs and Anwar Ul Haq, Additional SP Udhampur.

"During investigation some suspects were rounded up and put to sustained questioning to get any clue regarding the blast," said the police chief.

The DGP added that one suspect, Mohd Aslam Sheikh, resident of Kadwa Basantgarh confessed that he had placed the IEDs in both the buses at Bus stand Ramnagar and on September 28, at around 3 PM on the direction of his Pakistani handler Mohammed Amin Bhat alias Khubaib of Kathawa, Doda (at present in Pakistan).

The suspect was in contact with Pakistan based handler from quite some time and was motivated to receive some consignment from near international border (Samba-Kathua axis) who also promised him some monetary benefits, he added.

The Police Chief said that on September 23, as per the direction of handler, suspect received a consignment from Dayala Chak area in Kathua and took it to his home next day, adding, "further, he kept the consignment at his home and on September 28, again on the direction of handler Khubaib, he took two IEDs to Ramnagar bus stand, activated and kept one each in the side cabin of Udhampur bound buses, and returned back."

On his disclosure recoveries including three sticky IEDs, five detonators, two timer devices (PTD) and four dry batteries were made.

He said that his involvement was confirmed and he was arrested and investigation is going on.

Pertinently accused Mohammed Aslam Sheikh is a surrendered militant of HM outfit and also involved in many cases.

Handler Terrorist Mohd Amin Bhat alias Khubaib was also the mastermind of sticky bomb blast which took place on March 9 at Slathia Chowk, Udhampur in which one person lost his life while other 13 got injured in said blast.

Meanwhile, ADGP Mukesh Singh said Mohamad Amin Bhat is involved in these blasts and is settled in Pakistan.

He contacted a terrorist named Aslam Seikh through social media apps and provided him sticky bombs and IEDs through a drone.

"Bhat directed him to plant bombs at suitable locations before a high-profile ministerial visit," he added. (UNI)