Sajjad Khan, Aide Of Pulwama Attack Mastermind, Was Conspiring Terror Strikes: NIA Tells Court

Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist Sajjad Khan, an aide of Pulwama attack mastermind Mudasir Khan, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) said in its chargesheet in a case of conspiracy filed before a Delhi court on Monday. According to the chargesheet filed in the special court, the charges against Mudassir, mastermind in present case, were abated since he was killed in an encounter in March, 2019.  

As per reports Mudassir Ahmed Khan was killed in an encounter on March 11. Mudassir was the one who had arranged the vehicle and explosives used in the Pulwama terror strike. Suicide attacker Adil Ahmed Dar, who blew his explosive-laden vehicle next to the bus, had been in constant contact with Mudassir. 

The investigation revealed that Sajjad was communicating with Mudassir and Pakistani terrorist Yasir via an app using fake numbers.

The chargesheet was filed against four Jaish operatives under sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy) and 121 A (waging, or attempting to wage war, or abetting waging of war, against the government of India) of IPC, and various sections of stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and sections of Explosives Substances Act.

This case pertains to a criminal conspiracy hatched by senior commanders of Jaish to carry out terror attacks in different parts of India including Delhi-NCR.

Sajjad Khan was arrested on March 22 near the Red Fort while disguised as a shawl trader. Later he was sent to NIA custody. 

Deputy Commissioner of Police PS Kushwah claimed he had selected specific targets and was in the process of recruiting Muslim youths of Uttar Pradesh to establish sleeper cells.

"He was planning to give them weapons training. He was also raising funds and collecting weapons," he added.

Sajjid and his two siblings were initially engaged in stone pelting incidents in the Kashmir Valley. His brother Ishfaq was arrested in February 2015 under the Public Safety Act for stone pelting, the officer said.