SMHS hospital attack aftermath: Centre to move Pakistani prisoners from Srinagar jail to Udhampur, Leh

Two days after Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Abu Hanzula alias Naveed Jaat escaped from police custody, the Centre has decided to move all Pakistani prisoners in Srinagar to jails in Udhampur and Leh. [caption id=“attachment_4343635” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File image of top Lashkar-e-Taiba militant Mohammad Naveed Jaat alias Abu Hanzula. PTI[/caption] News18 reported that seven prisoners have been moved out the central jail in Srinagar following this decision. The news comes after  Inspector General of Police Kashmir range Muneer Khan said that the police has apprehended four more people , including two terrorists and two Lashkar overground workers, in relation to Hanzula’s escape. Shakil Ahmed Butt and Tika Khan, both hailing from Pulwama, have been arrested for hatching a criminal conspiracy and helping a prisoner escape. The plan was allegedly hatched four months ago. Another local militant Hilal remains at large along with the main accused Naveed, Khan added. In the wake of the attack on a Srinagar hospital on Tuesday, there was a major reshuffle in the senior ranks of the Jammu and Kashmir police as well. Swayam Prakash Pani has been appointed as Kashmir range Inspector General of Police, replacing Muneer Khan. Pani was earlier the Deputy Inspector General (DIG), South Kashmir range. The attack on Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) hospital, which led to the killing of two cops, was carried out in broad daylight by militants in the Karan Nagar area of Srinagar. The attack happened when six inmates were being taken to the hospital, accompanied by a police party for a medical checkup. These included Naveed, who is a top LeT commander. He had, according to police sources, complained of severe chest pain a few days ago. Police sources said when the cops brought down Naveed from the van in the premises of the hospital, at least two pistol borne militants fired at the police, and managed to flee with the LeT commander. Security forces have launched a massive operation to nab Naveed and the other local militant Hilal.   With inputs from agencies