NIA takes over investigation into attack on military camp in Handwara

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) took over the probe into Thursday’s attack on the Rashtriya Rifles camp in Langate in which three terrorists were killed.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) took over the probe into Thursday’s attack on the Rashtriya Rifles camp in Langate in which three terrorists were killed.

Army soldiers display the arms and supplies recovered during the combing operations in Langate, Handwara, on October 6, 2016. (HT Photo)

“We have formally registered an FIR in connection with the attack and taken over probe. A team of NIA officials has reached the RR 30 camp as well,” said a senior NIA official who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

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The investigative agency was involved since the arms and supplies recovered by the army from the dead infiltrators had Pakistani markings, much like those carried by the Uri attackers who killed 19 soldiers on September 18.

The NIA is investigating the Uri attack as well.

During the combing operations at Langate, the army found medicines, first aid supplies like gauze and syringes, dry fruits, jaggery, maps, metric sheet, a cache of arms, ammunition and radio sets.

At Uri, the army inventoried 48 items that the attackers are believed to have been carrying, including AK-47 rifles, cookies, lip conditioner, combs, medicines and syringes made in China.

“The recoveries made from the Langate attackers will be matched with the items brought by Uri attackers to find out about the group involved in the attack. It is suspected that the Uri attackers belonged to Pak-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad,” said the official.

The collected evidence has been sent for forensic analysis.