Reasi Terror Attack: Police Make First Arrest, Say Suspect Sheltered Attackers & Helped Them Leave Area

The arrested person, identified as Hakimdeen from Rajouri, is suspected of providing logistical support to the terrorists involved in the attack on a pilgrim bus travelling from Shiv Khori to Katra.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Wednesday announced their first arrest in connection with the Reasi terror attack, with officials stating that the person played a major role in facilitating the assault, though not as the mastermind. 

Senior Superintendent of Police Mohita Sharma said, "One person has been arrested in the Reasi terror attack. He's not the mastermind but played an important role in the attack".

"One Hakimdeen has confessed that he helped the terrorists as a guide and also helped them find shelter. He also said that he was present at the attack site and also heard gunshots," she told ANI.

The arrested person, identified as Hakimdeen from Rajouri, is suspected of providing logistical support to the terrorists involved in the attack on a pilgrim bus travelling from Shiv Khori cave shrine to Katra. The incident occurred on June 9, resulting in nine fatalities, and injuring 33 others in Teryath village, Pouni area. 

SSP Sharma said, "A major breakthrough has been achieved in the case pertaining to the terrorist attack on the pilgrim bus which was coming from Shiv Khori on 9th June. In this, one terror associate, namely Hakam, age 45 years has been arrested by J&K Police at Reasi". 

"This person was involved in harbouring the terrorists multiple times. Along with providing food and shelter, the said person also acted as a guide and helped them reach the spot of the incident," she added. 

"After the attack, he led the terrorists out of the area. On different occasions, the terrorists visited his residence. One day before the incident the terrorists stayed at his residence. He mentions about three terrorists. During recee of the site, he made sure that no CCTVs could capture him or the terrorists. He was given Rs 6000 for this help by terrorists. We will not stop until those terrorists are either arrested or neutralised," the SSP further told ANI.

She, while responding to a query, said, "Since it was the day of the swearing-in ceremony of the new govt and India-Pakistan match, so we were on alert. We did not get any specific input regarding this attack".  

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has since handed over the investigation to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on July 17, following a directive from Union Home Minister Amit Shah to intensify anti-terrorism efforts in the Jammu region akin to those in the Kashmir valley.