Civilian Killing Case: NIA Files Chargesheet Against Pakistan-Based LeT Handler And Three Others

New Delhi/ Jammu, August 08: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday filed a chargesheet against four individuals, including a Pakistan-based militant, in connection with the killing of two non-local civilians by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and its affiliate, The Resistance Front (TRF), in Kashmir earlier this year.

According to an official statement, the accused—Adil Manzoor Langoo, Ahran Rasool Dar alias Tota, Dawood, and their Pakistan-based handler, Jahangeer alias Peer Sahab—have been charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The NIA special court in Jammu has already issued an open-ended non-bailable warrant against the absconding handler, Jahangeer.

The NIA spokesperson disclosed that the four were involved in the cold-blooded killing of two civilians on the evening of February 7, 2024, at Karfali Mohalla, Shala Kadal in Srinagar. The case, initially investigated by local authorities, was handed over to the NIA in June and re-registered as RC-01/2024/NIA/JMU.

The investigation revealed that Adil Manzoor Langoo, who joined LeT in 2023, was radicalized by Pakistani handlers to enhance the group’s activities in Srinagar. Langoo had previously participated in other terror activities in the Kashmir Valley. Along with his close associates, Ahran Rasool Dar and Dawood, he operated under Jahangeer’s direction, who had urged them to wage jihad in the Srinagar area, targeting non-locals to incite fear and terror with the intent of waging war against the Government of India.

The group allegedly conspired to kill the civilians at Shala Kadal on Jahangeer’s orders. Adil and Ahran had received the arms and ammunition from their handler, which were later used in the crime. Dawood is accused of assisting Adil in destroying evidence related to the incident.

The NIA has been intensifying its crackdown on terrorist organizations in Kashmir. LeT, the region’s largest terror group, has continued to operate through various offshoots despite being banned by the Indian government. The group, along with TRF, has been exploiting social media platforms to recruit unemployed youth into their ranks, spreading their violent agenda, the NIA spokesperson added.

The investigation into the case is ongoing.