Pulwama Terror Attack Probe: Car Used In Suicide Bombing Traced To Anantnag, Owner Missing

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has identified the owner of the vehicle that was used by Jaish-e-Muhammed (JeM) terrorist Adil Ahmed Dar in the suicide bombing attack against a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy in the Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), reports Indian Express.

According to the report, NIA on Monday (25 February) said that the Maruti Eeco car used in the terror attack was last sold on 4 February to one Sajjad Bhat just 10 days before the attack. Bhat is reportedly a resident of Bijbehara in the Anantnag district of J&K.

The report cited sources as saying that the 22-year-old has been associated with the terrorist groups in the Kashmir valley for the past two years. However, the investigators are yet trying to ascertain when had come in contact with JeM and Dar.

“Sajjad is a student of Siraj-ul-Uloom, Shopian. A raid was conducted by NIA team at his house with the help of J&K Police on 23 February. However, Sajjad was found not present in his house and thereafter has been evading arrest. He has reportedly now joined JeM. A photograph to this effect has also appeared on social media where Sajjad is seen holding weapons,” an NIA statement said, as reported by Indian Express.

The vehicle used for the blast was identified by the investigators with the support of forensic and automobile experts.

The vehicle - chassis MA3ERLF1SOO183735 and engine G12BN164140 - was sold to Mohammed Jaleel Ahmed Haqani in 2011 and changed hand seven times before it reached Sajad, said the statement.