The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has apprehended a juvenile in connection with the Dhangri terror attack case, where five civilians were killed in Dhangri village of Rajouri district, Jammu and Kashmir, in January last year. The NIA stated that the child was already in custody in another case registered at the Gursai police station area in Mendhar, Poonch, and was produced before the Juvenile Justice Board in Rajouri for remand.
The Dhangri terror attack occurred on January 1, 2023, resulting in the deaths of five individuals from the Hindu community and leaving several others seriously injured. The NIA took over the investigation 12 days after the incident.
Investigations conducted by the NIA revealed that the apprehended juvenile, along with two previously arrested individuals named Nisar Ahmed alias Haji Nisar and Mushtaq Hussain alias Chacha, was involved in harboring the terrorists responsible for the heinous attack. Nisar Ahmed and Mushtaq Hussain, currently held at Central Jail, Kot Bhalwal, Jammu, provided logistical support to the terrorists for more than two months and sheltered them in a hideout constructed on the directions of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) handlers, namely Saifullah alias Sajid Jutt, Abu Qatal alias Qatal Sindhi, and Mohammad Qasim.
During their investigation, a team of NIA officials diligently scoured the hilly terrains of Rajouri, Poonch, and Reasi districts in Jammu and Kashmir. The team examined numerous suspicious entities and finally identified the accused individuals who had facilitated the terrorists.
Security agencies have expressed concern over terrorist attacks in the Jammu region in recent years, as Pakistan-based outfits have shifted their focus from targeting the Kashmir Valley to attacking security forces and civilians in this part of the Union Territory.
Following the Dhangri attack, the Indian government revived the village defense guards (VDGs) in Jammu and Kashmir as a precautionary measure against any future terror attacks in the area. Comprising local volunteer residents, the VDGs played a crucial role in self-defense and assisting security forces during counter-terrorism operations in the 1990s. After a period of inactivity, their reinstatement aims to enhance vigilance and security in border villages.
The NIA’s successful apprehension of the juvenile involved in the Dhangri terror attack case is a significant development in the ongoing investigation. It highlights the agency’s dedication and efforts to ensure justice for the victims and bring those responsible for such acts of violence to book. The arrest also underscores the need for continued vigilance and coordinated efforts to prevent similar incidents in the future.
