National Investigation Agency (NIA) Assumes Control of Kokernag Terror Attack Probe

The government of Jammu and Kashmir has handed over the investigation of the deadly terror attack in the Kokernag area of Anantnag district to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). In this tragic incident on September 13, four security personnel, including Colonel Manpreeet Singh, Commanding Officer of the 19 Rashtriya Rifles, Major Aashish Dhonchak, and J&K police DySP Humayun Muzammil Bhat, lost their lives along with an Indian Army soldier.

Following the notification by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the NIA took charge of the case and registered it under FIR no. RC-04/2023/NIA/JMU at the Jammu Police Station of the agency. The FIR includes sections 302, 307 of the IPC; 7, 25 & 27 of the Arms Act, and Sections 16, 18, 19, 20, 23, 38 & 39 of the UAPA (Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act). The agency will commence a detailed investigation into the terror attack.

Sources indicate that the decision to hand over the case to the NIA was made after concrete links emerged, hinting at a larger conspiracy. The encounter resulted in the killing of top Lashkar Commander Uzair Khan by security forces. There were suspicions of the involvement of foreign terrorists, and the larger conspiracy, believed to extend beyond the border, will be probed by the NIA.

This marks the fourth case registered by the NIA Jammu Police Station this year. Two cases involve the deadly terror attack in the Dhangri area of Rajouri, targeting Hindus and believed to be part of a larger conspiracy by Pakistan to instigate communal violence in the region. The third case relates to the killing of Inspector Masroor Ali, a Jammu and Kashmir Police official, shot by terrorists while playing cricket in Srinagar’s Eidgah ground on October 29. Inspector Masroor succumbed to his injuries after a 29-day battle for life at AIIMS Delhi. The NIA is actively pursuing these cases to uncover the truth and bring those responsible to justice.