India likely to probe ex-militant’s arrest from Nepal border

KATHMANDU: India’s Ministry of Home Affairs is contemplating an inquiry into the detention of suspected Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Liyaqat Ali Shah from near the Indo-Nepal border, Indian media reported on Sunday.

Taking note of the conflicting versions of the Delhi Police and Jammu and Kashmir Police, the home ministry is likely to order a probe on circumstances leading to Shah’s arrest, according to the Times of India.

“A decision on whether an inquiry is warranted will be taken after scrutiny of both the versions,” the report quoted Indian Home Secretary RK Singh as saying.

The New Delhi police have claimed that they arrested Shah and foiled a suicide strike in New Delhi that he had orchestrated. On the other hand, his family and Jammu and Kashmir police have said that the former militant had surrendered before the SSB at the Sunauli check-posit along the Nepal border, and was part of a group returning from Pakistan- occupied Kashmir (PoK ) as part of the rehabilitation policy of the Jammu and Kashmir government, according to the Times of India.

On Friday, Delhi Police had announced that Shah was arrested on suspicion of being a Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist.

Following the arrest his wife said that Shah came to surrender before the authorities in Jammu and Kashmir after the application of his family for his rehabilitation under the state government’s policy was approved by the authorities.