NIA officer's murder: A killing planned well in advance

Lucknow, Apr 4: Mohammad Tanzil Ahmed, the NIA officer who was shot dead in Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh yesterday could have made several enemies as a major part of his job involved trailing of Indian Mujahideen operatives.

The preliminary investigations suggest that the murder was a well planned one and his assailants had been tracking him for several hours before the incident.

The assailants were equipped with sophisticated weapons and they knew his exact movements which is why it can be said for now that the attack was a well planned one.

Whether the incident is connected to his investigations being conducted into the modules of the Indian Mujahideen or not is too early to tell, but it is an angle investigators are exploring with all seriousness.

Well planned attack

Two men on a motor cycle waylaid the officer's car and pumped 21 bullets into him. He was declared brought dead at the hospital. His wife too sustained injuries and has been admitted to hospital.

However his children escaped. The officer who was a Deputy Superintendent of Police in the NIA was in Bijnor to attend a family function.

He along with his family left their home at around 8 pm on Saturday to attend the function. After the function at around 12.45 AM on Sunday his car was waylaid around 300 metres away from his house.

Going by the manner in which the incident took place, it was clear that the assailants were tracking him since 8 pm. They waylaid his car at a spot where there were no people around.

The two unidentified men had used a 9mm pistol. It appears to be a sophisticated weapon said an investigating officer while adding that more details would emerge once the ballistic report is out.

Mourning a brave officer

The officer who was posted as an assistant commander in the BSF was brought to the NIA on deputation in February 2009. He was initially part of the intelligence wing of the NIA, but later moved to investigations. He has been part of several high profile probes especially those concerning the Indian Mujahideen.

He was also part of the delegation which coordinated with the Pakistan's Joint Investigation Team which visited India recently to probe the Pathankot attack. His colleagues have termed his death an irreparable loss.

An upright officer, a friend and a great colleague is what one officer who has worked with him very closely said.

OneIndia News