TNR News Network
Mandi:
Anil Kumar, a 27-year-old cab driver from Jogindernagar in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh, who had gone missing from Nayagaon near Chandigarh, has been found m*urdered. The Punjab Police has arrested three terror suspects linked to the Pakistan-based outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in connection with the abduction and k*illing.
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav confirmed that a terror module affiliated with the JeM had been busted. The accused, all residents of Jammu and Kashmir, were apprehended near Amritsar.
Those arrested include Sahil Bashir, wanted under the UAPA and the Arms Act in Kupwara’s Kalamabad police station, and his brother Aijaz Ahmed, previously arrested for possessing weapons linked to the JeM. Both have been identified as overground workers (OGWs) for the banned terror outfit.
Cab hired from Kharar, driver k*illed after dispute
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects hired Anil Kumar’s cab from Kharar. Shortly after the ride began, the driver’s phone was switched off, raising suspicion. With growing concerns, multiple police teams were formed. The accused were later tracked down and arrested in Amritsar.
During interrogation, the suspects confessed to shooting Anil Kumar following a dispute and later dumping his body near the Mohali airport. A .32 bore pistol used in the crime and the victim’s Swift Dzire taxi have been recovered. The police have launched a detailed search operation in the area for further evidence.
Political uproar reaches Himachal Assembly
The matter was raised in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly during the monsoon session by BJP MLA from Jogindernagar Prakash Rana. He said that Anil, a resident of Bhagaid panchayat’s Raktal village, had gone missing on August 29, but no FIR was registered until August 31. According to Rana, Anil had last spoken to his wife around 10 pm, mentioning he was heading towards the railway station.
Rana further alleged administrative negligence and urged the state government to take the matter seriously. Responding to the concerns, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that while the victim’s family had not approached him directly, the Himachal DGP had been in contact with the Punjab Police and a complete investigation is underway.
CCTV footage had earlier captured Anil’s car in Ludhiana, as confirmed by sources. His body was finally recovered near the Mohali airport, bringing a tragic end to the three-day search. The recovery of the body and arrests have confirmed fears of a targeted crime with possible terror links.
