First Arrest In Pulwama Terror Attack Probe! NIA Nabs Pak-Based JeM's Operative Who Helped Suicide Bomber

A 22-year-old youth Shakir Bashir Magrey, who is a furniture shop owner and resident of Hajibal, Kakapora in Pulwama, had provided shelter and other logistical assistance to suicide-bomber Adil Ahmad Dar.

Investigation has also confirmed the identity of the suicide bomber to be Adil Ahmad Dar. (File Photo/ Getty)

New Delhi: In what might be considered as a big breakthrough is year-long probe of the National Investigative Agency (NIA), an operative of Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) was arrested on Friday for his alleged involvement in the Pulwama terror attack which took place in February 14, last year. According to reports, a 22-year-old youth Shakir Bashir Magrey, who is a furniture shop owner and resident of Hajibal, Kakapora in Pulwama, had provided shelter and other logistical assistance to suicide-bomber Adil Ahmad Dar. Magrey was introduced to Dar in mid 2018 by Pakistani terrorist Mohammad Umar Farooq and he became a full-time overground worker (OGW) of the JeM. He was produced before the NIA Special Court at Jammu on Friday and remanded to 15 days in NIA custody for his detailed interrogation. Further probe was underway.

Major Breakthrough In Pulwama Attack Case pic.twitter.com/wmn97MALGV

— NIA India (@NIA_India) February 28, 2020

The investigative agency stated that during the initial investigation, Magrey disclosed that on several occasions he collected and delivered arms, ammunition, cash and explosive materials to JeM terrorists, including those involved in the Pulwama attack. Magrey further revealed that he had harboured Dar and Pakistani terrorist Mohammad Umar Farooq in his house from late 2018 till the attack in February 2019, and assisted them in the preparation of the improvised explosive device (IED). Officials close to the development told news agency PTI that Magrey's shop is located near Lethpora bridge and as advised by Mohammad Umar Farooq, he started conducting reconnaissance of the movement of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy on Jammu-Srinagar Highway in January 2019 and informed Mohammad Umar and Dar about it. WATCH REPORT | Pulwama Attack: NIA Arrests JeM Operative Who Provided Shelter To Suicide-Bomber Magrey was also involved in modifying the Maruti Eeco car and fitting IED to it in early February, 2019, they said. During investigation, the make, model and number of the car used in the attack was quickly ascertained to be a Maruti Eeco car through forensic tests of the tiny remnants of the vehicle, which were seized from the spot during extensive searches, the NIA said, adding this has been corroborated by Magrey. The explosives used in the attack were determined through forensic probe to be ammonium nitrate, nitro-glycerin and RDX. Investigation has also confirmed the identity of the suicide bomber to be Adil Ahmad Dar through DNA matching with that of his father. The attack on the CRPF convoy, moving from Jammu towards Srinagar on February 14 last year in Pulwama, with an IED-laden vehicle by Jaish terrorist Dar had claimed lives of 40 CRPF personnel and grievously injured many others. (With inputs from PTI)