2 Lashkar terrorists, including ex-BJP member, arrested in Reasi

NEW DELHI: Registering a major success, the J&K Police with active support of villagers arrested two most-wanted Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists, including the mastermind of Rajouri district twin blasts Talib Hussain Shah, who turned out to be the former IT & Social Media incharge of BJP Minority Mocha (Jammu Province) and also an anchor of a news portal, along with a huge cache of arms and ammunition from a remote area of Reasi district on Sunday. In the Rajouri twin blasts, which were triggered in March and April this year, four people were grievously injured.
Additional director general of police (ADGP)-Jammu Mukesh Singh said, “Villagers of Tukson Dhok showed extreme courage in helping the police apprehend two most-wanted Lashkar terrorists, who had reached that area to take shelter after continuous pressure from the police and the Army. Apart from Talib, the other terrorist has been identified as Faisal Ahmed Dar of Pulwama.”
Singh added that two AK Rifles, seven grenades, one pistol and a huge quantity of ammunition were recovered from their possession.
While investigating the twin blasts, the Rajouri police on June 27 recovered a number of IEDs, busted a Lashkar module and arrested two terrorists. Talib, who was part of the module, went underground. The police then declared him an absconder and put a “suitable” bounty on his head.
“Talib was in constant touch with Pakistan-based Lashkar terrorist Qasim and was involved in at least three cases of IED blasts in Rajouri district, besides civilian killings and grenade blasts," the ADGP said.
The J&K BJP Minority Morcha had on May 9 appointed Talib as its Jammu province IT & Social Media incharge. “Mr Talib Hussain Shah of Draj Kotranka, Budhan, district Rajouri, shall be the new IT & Social Media Incharge of BJP Minority Mocha Jammu Province with immediate effect," read a May 9 order of the Morcha.
Talib was also working as a news anchor with a portal and even covered different official functions. On many occasions, he was seen with senior BJP functionaries, including the party’s J&K president Ravindra Raina.
Asked about his links with the saffron party, BJP Minority Morcha president Ch Sheikh Bashir briefly said that Talib had resigned from the party over a month ago. “He was nominated as IT & Social Media incharge of BJP Minority Mocha Jammu Province but after mere 18 days, i.e. on May 27, he resigned,” said Bashir.
Commenting on the issue, J&K BJP spokesperson Brig (Retd) Anil Gupta said, “Possibly it is a well-designed plot of the ISI to infiltrate and defame BJP.” He said anyone can join a political party through online membership drives without any police verification.
Congress was quick to grab the issue. Taking strong exception to the “presence of dreaded terrorists in the ranks of the BJP”, J&K PCC asked the governing party to explain to the nation how dreaded terrorists have been enjoying its patronage by getting important assignments in the party organisation.
Meanwhile, lauding the exemplary courage shown by the villagers in nabbing the terrorists, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha announced Rs 5 lakh cash reward for them.
"I salute the bravery of villagers of Tukson Dhok, Reasi, who apprehended two most-wanted terrorists. Such determination by the common man shows end of terrorism is not far away. The UT government to extend Rs 5 lakh cash reward to villagers for their gallant act against terrorists and terrorism,” said the LG.