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Updated: Mar 12, 2019 20:15 IST

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday arrested three men for their role in the theft of seven rifles and a pistol from the official residence of former PDP MLA Aijaz Ahmad Mir almost six months ago.

An NIA spokesman said that Parveez Ahmad Wani of Thokarpora, Javid Yousuf Dar of Gundi Darvesh and Subzar Ahmad Kumar of Shermal were arrested for the theft of weapons from the guard room of official residence of Aijaz Ahmad Mir, Ex-MLA of Wachi from Srinagar.

The spokesman said the main suspect, special police officer ( SPO) Adil Bashir Sheikh of Zainapora was attached with him at his official residence.

“On September 28 last year, SPO Adil Bashir Sheikh fled with seven AK rifles issued to the security personnel attached with the ex-MLA and also a personal pistol of the MLA. Later this case was registered by NIA.”

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The spokesman further said during investigation it emerged that SPO Adil Bashir Sheikh and his associates Yawar Ahmad Dar of Thokarpora, Shopian and Rafique Ahmad Bhat of Achan Pulwama had taken away the weapons as part of conspiracy hatched by Kashmir-based top leadership of proscribed terrorist organisation Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM). Yawar Ahmad Dar is now an active Hizbul militant.

The spokesman said that NIA had earlier arrested another accused Rafique Ahmad Bhat in the case. “Accused Adil Bashir Sheikh and Yawar Ahmad Dar are still absconding.”

The spokesman said during investigation, it emerged that Parveez Ahmad Wani, Javid Yousuf Dar and Subzar Ahmad Kumar had provided logistical support to the other accused as a part of the conspiracy.

“Arrested accused Parveez Ahmad Wani, Javid Yousuf Dar and Subzar Ahmad Kumar will be produced in the Special NIA Court, Jammu tomorrow for seeking police custody for further investigation and unearthing the larger conspiracy,” the spokesman said.