NIA arrests JeM operative in terror attack on CRPF Group Centre in J-K

National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday claimed to have arrested a JeM operative for his alleged involvement in a terror attack on CRPF Group Centre in Lethpora village in Pulwama district.

The arrested JeM operative has been identified as Fayaz Ahmad Magray. "Accused Fayaz will be produced in the Special NIA Court, Jammu, and will seek his custody for further investigation and unearthing of the larger conspiracy," said NIA in a statement on Monday.

"NIA on Monday arrested accused Fayaz Ahmad Magray, son of late Jalalludin Magray, resident of village Lethpora, Police Station Awantipora, District Pulwama, Jammu & Kashmir, in case RC No. 10/2018/NIA/DLI (attack on CRPF Group Centre, Lethpora)," said the investigation agency.

A terrorist attack on CRPF Group Centre, Lethpora, was carried out in the intervening night of December 30-31, 2017 by three terrorists of proscribed terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM).

During investigation by NIA, the three terrorists were identified as Fardeen Ahmad Khandey, son of Ghulam Mohideen Khandey, resident of Nazeempora, Tral, Pulwama district, Manzoor Baba, son of Ali Mohammad Baba, resident of Drubgam, Pulwama, and a Pakistani terrorist, namely, Abdul Shakoor, resident of Rawalakot area of PoK.

All the three terrorists were killed in the encounter. In this attack, five CRPF personnel were martyred and three were grievously injured.

NIA said that arrested accused Fayaz Ahmad Magray is an active over ground worker (OGW) of proscribed terrorist organisation JeM. "He is a key conspirator who provided logistical support such as providing shelter to the terrorists and conducting reconnaissance of the CRPF Group centre, Lethpora before the terrorist attack," said the central agency.

"In 2001 also, he was detained under Public Safety Act (PSA) by Jammu and Kashmir Police and he remained under detention for 16 months," NIA further said in the statement.