The Jammu and Kashmir Police has executed a proclamation issued by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) court, directing Pakistan-based terror handler Mohammad Qasim alias Salman to appear before the court on August 21. This development is in connection with the 2022-23 Katra and Narwal blasts that claimed the lives of 13 people.
According to the police, the proclamation was read out at Qasim’s residence in Angralla village in Reasi district. The police have also appealed to the public to share any credible information on Qasim with the nearest police station. Qasim, who is believed to have crossed over to Pakistan, is wanted in multiple cases registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
The court order was issued under Section 84 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), which empowers a court to issue a written notice requiring an accused individual to appear before it. Failure to comply within the stipulated period shall invite further legal proceedings under Section 85 of the BNSS, which deals with the attachment of property belonging to a person who is absconding.
The Katra and Narwal blasts were two separate incidents of terrorism that shook the region. On May 13, 2022, a bus carrying Shri Mata Vaishnodevi pilgrims caught fire after an explosion caused by sticky bombs at Kharmal, killing four people and injuring 22 others. A lesser-known terror outfit, Jammu and Kashmir Freedom Fighters (JKFF), had claimed responsibility for the explosion. In another incident, nine people were injured in twin IED explosions in Narwal on January 21, 2023.
In a separate development, dismissed police officer Devinder Singh has been granted five-day parole on humanitarian grounds to attend his father’s funerary rituals in Srinagar between July 27 and 30. Singh’s father died on July 17. Rejecting the ex-cop’s plea for 20-day bail, the court said he had already appealed against its decision denying regular bail but, in view of the circumstances, allowed him to attend the rituals.
