Pahalgam attack: 2 held for harbouring terrorists
Srinagar, June 22: In a major breakthrough, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested two men for harbouring the terrorists who had carried out the Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 people dead, the agency said on Sunday. According to the NIA, the two men – Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar from Batkote and Bashir Ahmad Jothar of Hill Park in Pahalgam – have disclosed the identities of the three armed terrorists involved in the attack. They have also confirmed that the assailants were Pakistani nationals affiliated to the proscribed terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). “Parvaiz and Bashir had knowingly harboured the three armed terrorists at a seasonal dhok (hut) at Hill Park before the attack,” the NIA said. The two men had provided food, shelter and logistical support to the terrorists, who selectively killed the tourists on the basis of their religious identity on April 22, making it one of the most gruesome terrorist attacks ever. (PTI)
Army personnel, associate held on espionage charge
Chandigarh, June 22: An army personnel posted in Jammu and his aide have been arrested for their alleged involvement in espionage activities linked to Pakistan’s spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), a top Punjab Police officer on Sunday. Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said one of the accused has been identified as Gurpreet Singh, a resident of Dhariwal in Amritsar serving in the Indian Army in Jammu. His associate has been identified as Sahil Masih who also belongs to Dhariwal, the police chief said. Preliminary investigation revealed that Singh was in direct contact with operatives of the ISI and is suspected of sharing sensitive and confidential information via pen drives, he said. In an intelligence-led operation, police arrested Gurpreet and Masih, while they were attempting another handover of sensitive data, the DGP said, adding that the key ISI handler involved in the case has been identified as Rana Javed. The DGP said two mobile phones containing virtual numbers, used to communicate with ISI operatives, have been recovered from both the accused. Further investigations are underway to dismantle the broader espionage-terror network and identify all collaborators in this case, Yadav added. (PTI)
Parl panel to discuss judges’ code of conduct
New DelhI, June 22: A Parliamentary panel is set to discuss the code of conduct for judges in the higher judiciary, even as the government is poised to move an impeachment motion against former Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma. The judge is under scrutiny over the recovery of unaccounted for cash from his national capital residence. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice, in a meeting on Tuesday, will discuss the issue and will also deliberate on the post-retirement assignments of judges. While Justice Varma is likely to be impeached, the Opposition has already given a notice for the same action against Allahabad High Court judge Justice Shekhar Yadav. (PTI)