WASIM KHALID

Srinagar Apr 16: In a major breakthrough, police Saturday claimed to have arrested three members of a core group allegedly involved in the killing of Jamiat-a-Ahli Hadees (JAH) chief Moulana Showkat Ahmad Shah last week.
Police said all the three were members of a religo-political organization Sout-ul-Haq and were earlier associated with the Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen (TuM) outfit. It said Moulana was killed since the accused wanted to seize power in JAH, which they could not do as the cleric was re-elected for the third term in the religious organization.
“When they failed to dislodge him through (organizational) elections, a conspiracy was hatched to eliminate him in 2010,” Inspector General of Police (IGP), SM Sahai said at a press conference at the Police Control Room here. He said Shah’s proximity with certain separatist leaders was not liked by “radical elements.”
“All the accused were affiliated with Sout-ul-Haq, and were also members of JAH. Initial investigation has revealed that conspiracy to kill Moulana was hatched by the three members SuH who were ex-militants of TuM. They have been identified as Javaid Ahmad Munshi alias Bill Papa, a resident of Chanapora, Nissar Ahmad Khan alias Ishaq and Abdul Gani Dar alias Abdullah Gazalli,” Sahai said.
IGP claimed that the conspiracy to kill Moulana was hatched in 2010. He said soon after the JAH presidentship elections, one of the accused Abdul Ghani Dar visited Ashiq Hussain Fakhtoo alias Dr Qasim, in Central Jail Srinagar, where the later is lodged.
“Both of them discussed the broad contours of the plan. But the actual execution of the plan was left to one Javaid Ahmad Munshi alias Bill Papa who sought help from Lashkar commander Abdullah Uni who is active in Sopore. Papa received some material from Abdullah Uni and arranged some of it locally by stealing gelatin sticks from Panthachowk area,” IGP said.
During this period, Sahai claimed that Jameel-ur-Rehman, general secretary of United Jihad Council was also in touch with the conspirators.
“Later all the three accused used to watch the movement of Moulana.
On April 8, they fitted the IED in brass pot and activated it with the help of remote control,” he said.
IGP said the IED was fabricated by Javaid alias Bill Papa - who he described as an IED expert. He said the bomb was detonated by one Nissar Ahmad.
“Bill Papa was detained on April 10 while other two were arrested today,” he said.
Moulana Showkat Ahmad Shah was assassinated in a low intensity Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast outside a Masjid in Maisuma locality of Srinagar on April 8.
While putting forth the reason why Moulana was killed, Sahai said, “It was an attempt by the radical elements to take control of Jamiat-e-Ahli-Hadees. When they failed to dislodge him through elections, a conspiracy was hatched to eliminate him”.
He said that the “radical elements” were against the reforms by the “engaging” policies undertaken by the Moulana.
“He was perceived as one against sectarianism and helping to defuse sectarian clashes,” IGP said. “His work in education field, especially trying to get a university from the government was perceived by them as a compromise with the government. Also his proximity with certain separatist leaders was not liked by them”.
The police, however, said the investigations are on to expose the larger conspiracy surrounding the killing of Moulana.
DIG Central Kashmir Range, Abdul Gani Mir, SSP City, Syed Ashiq Hussain Bukhari and SP East, Sheikh Zulfikar were also present at the press conference.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 16 Apr 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 16 Apr 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 17 Apr 2011 00:00:00 IST