(NDTV)
A manhunt has been launched for Lashkar-e-Taiba commanderMohammad Abu Ismail believed to have carried out Monday’s attack on Amarnath pilgrims in Jammu and Kashmir that killed seven people. It was one of the deadliest attacks by the 26-year-old terrorist who had been operating in south Kashmir. Sources in Delhi told NDTV that Abu Ismail, a Pakistani national, had infiltrated from across the border with Pakistan about two years ago and was a local commander of the Lashkar in south Kashmir.
The probe into the attack on Amarnath pilgrims, the first in nearly 17 years, is still in an early stage. But according to information put together by the security establishment, Abu Ismail led the attack along with three to five other terrorists.
There is no clarity how the bus was allowed to pass security check-posts after sunset when thousands of policemen head back to their camps for the night. That terror groups such as the Lashkar could try to attack the annual pilgrimage taken by thousands had been predicted by intelligence agencies.Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh told NDTV that the attack was a “big lapse”. “We have to enquire why… it was allowed after sunset,” he said. More than 100 empty cartridges were found at the attack site, which indicates that the terrorists were prepped for a attack.
