The NIA court has framed charges against two persons under various Sections of the IPC and UAPA for not only harboring and providing food to terrorists involved in the killing of seven people in the twin terror attacks at Dhangri near Rajouri town on January 1 and 2, 2023, but also acting as their guide and helping them return to their hideout after the killings.
Identified as Nisar Ahmed alias Haji Nisar and Mushtaq Hussain alias Chacha, the accused are lodged in the high security Kot Bhalwal jail in Jammu.
The court also charged them under provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act for utilising the services of a minor for illegal activities.
The NIA told the court that on January 1, 2023, some terrorists entered some houses at Dhangri and opened fire, killing four people and injuring seven others. One more succumbed to injuries.
The next morning, two children were killed and some others injured in an IED explosion at the house of one of the victims. The IED was planted by the terrorists before they left after the firing.
Initially, an FIR was registered at Rajouri police station, but later the NIA reregistered the case and took up probe following orders from the Centre.
During probe, involvement of Pakistan-based terrorist organisation, Lashar-e-Taiba, surfaced, the NIA said. The accused, who appeared before the court through virtual mode, pleaded not guilty.
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Special Judge NIA Sandeep Gandotra observed that the allegations are very serious and there is sufficient material to show prima facie that they in furtherance of criminal conspiracy not only harboured the terrorists and provided them food and shelter, but they also acted as their guide and helped them return to their hideout after the massacre.
The accused were in contact with the terrorists for approximately three months and they did not tell anybody about them despite getting many opportunities, the judge observed, quoting the NIA investigation.
The judge on Thursday charged Nisar Ahmed for commission of offences under Sections 120-B and 201 of the IPC, Sections 18, 19, 20, 38 and 39 of the UAPA, besides Section 83 of the Juvenile Justice Act.
Mushtaq was charged under Sections 120-B of IPC, Sections 18, 19 and 39 of UAPA and Section 83 of the Juvenile Justice Act.
