2022 Rajouri IED blast: Police file chargesheet against 4

Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir Police have filed a chargesheet against four terrorists, including a handler from Lashkar-e-Taiba based in Pakistan, in relation to a 2022 improvised explosive device (IED) blast. Two migrant laborers sustained injuries when the explosion occurred beneath the Jaganaloo bridge in Rajouri district on April 19 of that year.

Kandi police station lodged the First Information Report (FIR) under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and the Explosive Substances Act.

Three of the accused individuals—Talib Hussain Shah, Mohammed Sadiq, and Mohammed Shabir—all hailing from Draj in Rajouri's Kotranka tehsil—currently remain in custody. Their handler, Mohammed Qasim, also known as Salman or Suleman, orchestrated the attack and maintained direct communication with Talib Hussain Shah through encrypted messaging applications, according to a police spokesperson.

The accused received drone-delivered packages containing weapons, ammunition, explosives, and cash in the Lamberi forest area, which they subsequently transported to hideouts in Draj before executing the IED attack. Local authorities apprehended Talib Hussain Shah and his co-conspirator, Faizal Ahmed Dar from Pulwama, in July 2022, along with two AK-47 rifles, several grenades, and other arms and ammunition, at Tuksan village in Reasi district. Talib Hussain Shah is linked to at least three IED blasts in Rajouri and grenade explosions.