NIA lens on Banihal ambush

NEW DELHI: After Pulwama, the union home ministry has transferred investigations into copy-cat ambush on CRPF convoy at Banihal in J&K last month, to the National investigation Agency (NIA). The federal counter terror agency, is already investigating February 14 Pulwama attacks, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed by a suicide bomber, owing allegiance to Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM).

On March 30, a suspected Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) operatives tried to carry out attack at CRPF convoy at Banihal on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. The suspect Owais Amin of South Kashmir allegedly tried to ram explosives laden Santro car into the CRPF convoy at Banihal on the pattern of February 14 Pulwama attack.

In its order, MHA said, “This case relates to attack on CRPF convoy on march 30, 2019 by some terrorists who exploded a car laden with explosives near Banihal with intention to kill the CRPF Jawans having common criminal intention to wage war against the Union of India....”