Banihal Terror Attack

2 terrorists arrested, hunt for 3rd suspect on

JAMMU: In a major success achieved within less than 48 hours of the deadly terrorist attack on the SSB party in Banihal, the state police have arrested two terrorists it claims were involved in the terror attack of Wednesday, while the manhunt for the third suspect is on. "We have arrested two militants involved in the terror attack on the SSB party in Banihal. They were arrested within 24 hours of the attack by the police during a major combing operation in Banihal belt", SSP, Ramban, Mohan Lal said. The police have identified the two arrested as Gaznafar and Arif. The attack was carried out at around 8 PM on Wednesday and was targeted against the 14th battalion of SSB, posted in Banihal town of Ramban, resulting in death of one SSB jawan while another one was injured. The SSB party was charged to guard the strategic Banihal tunnel, the 8.45-km stretch which connects Ramban to Qazigund. "Two service rifles, including an AK assault rifle and an Insas rifle, which were snatched during the attack, were also recovered from their possession", the SSP said.
Gazanfar and Arif were recruited to foment terror in the Chenab Valley region, officials said.
The duo, along with Aquib Wahid, were involved in the attack. The hunt for Wahid is on, they said.
21-year-old Gazanfar Ahmed and 22-year-old Aquib Wahid are BSc students at the Degree College in Anantnag.
25-year-old Arif is working with a private company.
Families of Gaznafar and Aquib were allegedly associated with the Hizbul Mujahidebn in the past, they said.