Major Republic Day attack averted in Jammu and Kashmir

New Delhi, Jan 23: A major terror attack ahead of Republic Day has been foiled by the security agencies in Jammu and Kashmir.

Intelligence Bureau sources tell OneIndia that the Hizbul Mujahideen had planned on carrying out a Pulwama type attack ahead of Republic Day.

The official said that the Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist, Naved Babu who was arrested along with a suspended cop, Davinder Singh was supposed to deliver explosives to his associates at Zadoora. They had planned to plant the explosives near Pulwama on a highway.

Meanwhile, the NIA after conducting raids has shifted Singh to Jammu. The NIA has also taken the other suspects involved in the case to Jammu. The NIA also conducted raids at the residence of Singh located at Indira Nagar in Srinagar and recovered two rifles.

Earlier the J&K administration on Monday forfeited Singh's commendation medal and certificate.

Davinder Singh was arrested for helping terrorists travel out of J&K, five days after he lost his Sher-e-Kashmir Police Medal for Gallantry.

An order issued by the Director-General of Police Dilbag Singh announced the forfeiture of DGP's commendation medal and certificate which was awarded the now-disgraced officer on December 31, 1998.

"Consequent upon the arrest of Davinder Singh, Dy SP on January 11, while trying to assist terrorists to travel outside J&K and recovery of arms and ammunition, which amounts to disloyalty and conduct that has brought the force into disrepute, the DGP commendation medal along with certificate awarded to him on December 31, 1998, is hereby forfeited," the order read.

On January 15, the Jammu and Kashmir administration forfeited the Sher-e-Kashmir Police Medal for Gallantry awarded to Davinder Singh in 2018.

Police had arrested Singh at Mir Bazar in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district along with Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists Naveed Baba and Altaf, besides a lawyer who was operating as an overground worker for terror outfits.

Searches were carried out at Singh''s residence in Srinagar, right next to the Army's XV Corps headquarters at Badami Bagh cantonment, where he had sheltered Naveed, Altaf and a new joinee in the banned terror outfit, leading to the recovery of two pistols, an AK rifle and a large quantity of ammunition.