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Sajjad Bhat, owner of car used in Pulwama attack, said to have joined JeM

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken charge of the probe into the Pulwama terror attack. (PTI) — The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken charge of the probe into the Pulwama terror attack. **(PTI)**

1 min read . Updated: 26 Feb 2019, 07:00 AM IST Shaswati Das

The Maruti Eeco used to carry out the Pulwama attack was traced to one Sajjad Bhat, who is reported missing
Sajjad Bhat is said to have joined the Jaish-e-Mohammed, says National Investigation Agency

New Delhi: Nearly two weeks after the Pulwama attack killed 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel in Jammu and Kashmir, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday identified the owner of the SUV that was used for the suicide attack.

“NIA investigators, with the support of forensic and automobile experts have been able to identify the vehicle used for the blast. A Maruti Ecco vehicle…was sold to Md. Jaleel Ahmed Haqani a resident of Heaven colony, Anantnag, in 2011. It subsequently exchanged hands seven times and finally reached Sajjad Bhat, son of Md Maqbool Bhat resident of Bijbehara, District Anantnag who had acquired the vehicle on 4 February 2019," NIA said in a statement.

Sajjad was a student of Siraj-ul-Uloom in Shopian district. On 23 February, the NIA along with the J&K police raided his house, but he was nowhere to be found.

“He has been evading arrest since then. He has reportedly now joined the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM). A photograph to this effect has also appeared in social media where Sajjad is seen holding weapons," the NIA said.