Jammu, 22 October (H.S.):

Investigators have rounded up more than 40 suspects for

questioning as part of investigations into the deadly terror attack at Gagangir

in Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir in which seven persons were killed,

officials said on Tuesday.

Police officials believe that the assailants had

meticulously planned the attack and were able to execute their designs due to

the support of the terrorist associate network.

“We will get them (terrorists) sooner or later.

We have picked up several suspects for questioning but no one has been arrested

so far,” a senior police officer said.

Security forces on Monday launched a large-scale

combing operation in the area adjacent to tourist spot Sonamarg, a day after a

horrific terror attack at a tunnel construction site.

National Investigation Agency (NIA) agents have

scoured the scene for crucial evidence as the Army, CRPF and police units

spread out across the hills surrounding the construction area to track down the

perpetrators and their accomplices involved in one of the deadliest attacks on

non-local labourers in the Kashmir valley.

The assailants, believed to be Pakistani

terrorists, meticulously studied the site layout before executing their plan.

They first targeted the labourers’ mess before proceeding to the officers’

quarters.

Officials suspect that the attackers may have

had prior knowledge of the site, potentially having worked there previously or

receiving support from locals present at the location. Eyewitnesses recounted

the cold-blooded firing by the attackers.

The officials said CCTV footage from the area is

being scrutinised.

The Resistance Front, a shadow organisation

linked to the banned Lashker-e-Taiba, has claimed responsibility for the

barbaric act.

In a region that has been plagued by terrorism

for over three decades, this area had not experienced such a violent incident

before.

The attack, which left a doctor and six

labourers dead, unfolded when the staff had returned to their camp late in the

evening after working on the tunnel project.

Among the deceased were Dr Shahnawaz Dar, Faheem

Nasir, Kaleem, Mohammad Hanif, Shashi Abrol, Anil Shukla and Gurmeet Singh.

The NIA’s investigative team visited the site to

gather crucial evidence that could aid in identifying the attackers.

As leaders of various political parties and outfits

condemned the attack, JK Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed determination

not to let vested interests impede the region’s progress and development.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha vowed to avenge

the brutal attack, holding Pakistan accountable for instigating violence in the

area.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar