India hunting for mastermind of Pulwama terror attack
The Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) has claimed responsibility for the Pulwama terror attackIndia has demanded Pakistan shut down the JeM and other Islamist militant groups that operate from its soil
SRINAGAR : Hundreds of Indian forces were on Sunday hunting for the Kashmir chief of the Pakistan-based militant group believed to have masterminded a car bombing on CRPF convoy, killing 44 paramilitary police.
The Jaish-e-Mohammed has claimed responsibility for the deadliest attack on Indian security forces in decades, fuelling tensions between India and Pakistan.
India has demanded Pakistan close down the Jaish and other Islamist militant groups that operate from its soil. Islamabad has rejected the suggestion it was linked to the attack.
Within Jammu & Kashmir, military and police officials were looking for Mohammed Umair, the commander of the Jaish in the region, believed to have plotted the attack.
A police official said they had information that Umair had "radicalized and motivated" the Kashmiri school dropout who rammed a car laden with explosives into the convoy on Thursday.
Umair is thought to have entered Jammu & Kashmir from Pakistan in September to head the Jaish in the region. Security forces suspect he is in hiding in southern Kashmir, the police officer told Reuters. He couldn't be named in line with policy.
Indian officials say Umair is a nephew of the chief of the Jaish, Masood Azhar, who is believed to be in Pakistan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised a befitting reply to the attack and says he has given the military a free hand to tackle cross border militancy. A spokesman for the ministry of home affairs declined to comment.
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This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.