Daijiworld Media Network - Chandigarh
Chandigarh, Sep 2: In a major breakthrough, Punjab Police have dismantled a terror module linked to the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), arresting three men from Jammu and Kashmir in connection with the abduction and cold-blooded murder of a cab driver in Mohali. The arrests were announced by Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on Tuesday.
The suspects — Sahil Bashir (19) from Kupwara, Munish Singh (22) from Doda, and Aijaz Ahmed Khan (22) from Qalamabad — were taken into custody after a swift operation spanning multiple districts. Police recovered the stolen white Maruti Swift Dzire and a .32 bore country-made pistol used in the crime.
The case came to light after the victim, Anil Kumar, a cab driver from Nayagaon in Mohali, went missing on Friday. His wife, Sudha Devi, reported that he had left to pick up passengers from Kharar en route to Chandigarh railway station, but never returned. Repeated calls to his mobile phones went unanswered, both found switched off.
DGP Yadav confirmed that the suspects had initially posed as passengers before murdering Kumar and fleeing with his vehicle. The murder, he said, was not random — one of the accused, Sahil Bashir, is already wanted under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Arms Act in Jammu & Kashmir. His brother, Sajad Ahmad Shah, was earlier arrested with arms linked to JeM, indicating the family's ties to the terror outfit. Both are classified as overground workers of JeM.
Deputy Inspector General of Police (Ropar Range), Harcharan Bhullar, stated that the trio was apprehended from Batala and Gurdaspur following a meticulous manhunt. During interrogation, the accused admitted to fatally shooting Kumar after a confrontation near Kandala village in Mohali. They later disposed of his body and fled with the car.
Senior Superintendent of Police (Mohali) Harmandeep Hans revealed that the accused had misled the driver by requesting a route change toward Airport Road. After reaching a secluded spot, they pulled Kumar from the vehicle and shot him. Three bullet shells were found near the body, and the remains of the victim were recovered following the suspects’ confession.
Authorities continue to investigate the broader network and possible links to other terror-related activities.