Srinagar, Jan 4 (FN Agency) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday attached the property of a key accused in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district in a case related to a 2023 encounter in Kokernag which resulted in the death of three senior Army and J&K Police officers and a soldier. The investigation of the encounter involving a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militant was taken over the NIA in December 2023. The encounter began on the night of September 13, 2023 when the senior officers came under heavy fire as they approached the suspected hideout in the Gadole forest in Kokernag. Due to the intense firefight an Army Colonel, a Major, a Deputy Superintendent of J&K Police were killed. During the initial shootout, another soldier was also injured and his body was found on the third day of the operation.
The operation lasted for seven days in which top Lashkar-e-Toiba Commander Uzair Khan was killed. NIA attached the property of Mohammad Akbar Dar, an associate of LeT terrorist Uzair Khan, who was arrested on September 20, 2023, NIA said the chargesheeted accused, Dar had provided logistical support, shelter, food and intelligence to Khan. “As part of its action against terror networks in Kashmir, NIA attached Dar’s immovable property, measuring 19 marlas, in Halpora, Kokernag area of Anantnag. The attachment was carried out under Sub-section (1) of Section 25 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act,” NIA statement said.Mohammad Akbar Dar was arrested after 40 live rounds of AK-47 ammunition and other incriminating materials were recovered from his residence. He was chargesheeted in March 2024 before the NIA Special Court, Jammu, under section 120-B of the IPC, section 25 of the Arms Act 1959, and sections 18, 19, 38, and 39 of the UA(P)A, 1967, in the case (RC-04/2023/NIA/JMU).