J&K Twin Blasts: Teacher-Turned-LeT Terrorist Arrested, 'Perfume' IED Recovered, Says DGP

The DGP also said that this was the first time that such type of a 'perfume' bomb was recovered in the Union Territory.

A government school teacher-turned Lashkar-e-Taiba-terrorist has been arrested in connection with the twin blasts in Narwal on January 21 and a perfume improvised explosive device (IED) was recovered from his possession, Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police Dilbag Singh said on Thursday. The DGP also said that this was the first time that such type of a 'perfume' bomb was recovered in the Union Territory, ANI reported.

According to the DGP, two bombs were planted on January 20 and two blasts occurred on January 21. Nine people were injured after the first IED blew off, said the DGP. 

"This is the first time we have recovered a perfume IED. We have not recovered any perfume IED before. The IED will blast if anyone tries to press or open it. Our special team will handle that IED," the DGP said. 

Police said Arif, a resident of Reasi district, was in touch with Pakistani handlers for three years. Singh said Arif also admitted to his involvement in bombing the bus carrying Vaishno Devi pilgrims that killed four people and injured 24 last year in May.

"The accused got the supply of three IEDs towards the end of December. He used two IEDs in Marwal area. He is working in the influence of Qasim, a Lashkar-E-Taiba terrorist operating from Pakistan. He is responsible for recent terror activities in the area," he added. 

“Two bombs were planted on 20th January. Two blasts occurred on 21st January at a gap of 20 minutes to kill as many people as possible. 9 people were injured after the first IED blast. Police have arrested one terrorist Arif, who was in contact with Pakistan handlers for 3 years,” the DGP was quoted as saying by the news agency. 

The DGP alleged Pakistan of creating a “communal divide” among the people in Jammu and Kashmir. 

“Pakistan is infamous for propagating terrorism from its land and for killing hundreds of innocent people across the world. Jammu and Kashmir is on target for some time. They (Pakistan) want to create a communal divide among the people in J&K,” he said.

The Narwal area in Jammu was rocked by twin blasts on January 21 that occurred within a gap of 20 minutes injuring six persons. 

The explosions came just a few days ahead of the Republic Day celebrations in the country and amid Congress' Bharat Jodo Yatra which was in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua at the time of the incident.