Jawan held with grenades at Srinagar airport, claims they were given by 'superior official'

Srinagar aiport/ File image/ PTI

SRINAGAR: An army jawan was today arrested at the airport here for carrying two grenades which he claimed were given to him by a "superior official" for transporting to Delhi.

• Bhopal Mukhiya of 17 JAK Rifles, posted in Boniyar area of Uri sector in Kashmir, was taken into custody after the grenades were found in his baggage during screening at the main gate of the airport, an official of the anti-hijacking force said.
• A resident of Darjeeling, Mukhiya was going home on leave. He was to board a Delhi-bound chartered flight, the official said.
• The jawan reportedly told police that "the packet containing grenades was given to him by a superior official for handing it over to someone at the Delhi airport".
• According to reports, he earlier said it was to cause blasts in rivers in order to catch fish, following an interrogation he has admitted to the involvement of junior level officers
• A defence spokesman said action will be taken against the jawan as per the law.
• "A soldier has been caught carrying grenades in a packet as reported by the airport authorities. The matter is under investigation. As per the law, the army will take action against the individual," the defence spokesman said in a statement issued here.
• Director General of Police S P Vaid told reporters: "He will face action according to the law. Be it an army jawan, a policeman or a civilian, everyone will have to face action."
• Asked whether it was a hijacking bid, the DGP said: "I cannot say anything on that."
• Senior officials of the security wing of the state police refused to give more details about the case.