NIA takes over probe of Uri terror attack, Army also inquiring

NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency ( NIA) has taken over the investigation of the Sunday terrorist attack on an army unit’s admininstrative base in Uri, which led to the killing of 18 soldiers and injured 32 others.

Top sources in the NIA told Economictimes.com that a First Information Report (FIR) has been registered under sections 16 (punishment for terrorist act), 18 (punishment for conspiracy, etc) and 20 (punishment for being member of terrorist gang or organisation) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, besides the Indian Penal Code sections 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), 436 (Mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to destroy house, etc) and 120B (criminal conspiracy).

“The FIR was registered on Monday and the investigation of the terrorist attack began on the same day,” said an official.

The NIA took over the probe from the J&K Police, which had registered a case on Sunday. The investigation began by collecting evidence available with the Army, which has also instituted an inquiry into the attack. The inquiry besides ascertaining possible lapses, would also suggest measures to prevent such attacks in the future.

A 10 member NIA team led by an Inspector General rank officer is already in Srinagar to investigate the attack. The NIA will also take the DNA samples of the four Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists. The pictures of the terrorists would be shown to Jaish cadres lodged in various jails of the state and India. Two of the four bodies are charred below the waist, said officials.

Sources said one of the two GPS devices was damaged due to the fire. The other is being examined by technical experts to ascertain the route taken by the terrorists.