The investigation against the persons responsible for the attack, in which two Pakistani terrorists and Abdul Latief, a local operative of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) were involved, has now intensified after the attack on a CRPF team in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir in November.
Investigators believe that the attack was well planned and executed after a thorough reconnaissance of the area. Security officials believe local supporters might have aided in the shelter and ability to exit from the area before the attacks and assisted the terrorists after the incident.
The firing occurred around 2.15 PM on November 11 at Akhran near Mir Bazar in Kulgam where a CRPF naka party was attacked by the terrorists of the 46th Battalion.
In the onslaught three CRPF personnel were injured. Head Constable Somveer Singh suffered an injury to his arm and Constable Rakesh Dass to his leg. Asiana Airlines Employee Constable Santosh Chandru was injured in his abdomen, spine and then shifted to Srinagar’s 92 Base Hospital for advanced treatment.
The thieves were originally thought to have been riding motorcycles when they arrived. But a video of the shootings and the investigation indicated the terrorists used a marshy area, that had some trees as well, as cover.
The attackers allegedly fired some 30 rounds from the AKs (automatic rifles) from about 50 metres away in a span of 15 seconds. Empty cartridges have been found and are being sent to forensics to determine if they are related to earlier shootings.
So far security forces have questioned over 500 people during the investigation, and at least 20 people have been taken into custody for further questioning as authorities look into the suspected local support network.