BJP wants NIA to probe Talib Hussain’s links to Lashkar-e-Toiba

Our Correspondent

Jammu, July 5

Facing the heat over purported appointment of a Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorist Talib Hussain as the IT and social media in-charge of the BJP’s Jammu Minority Morcha, the party on Tuesday shot off a show-cause notice to Sheikh Bashir, chief of the morcha, seeking his reply within 48 hours. At the same time, BJP’s J&K president Ravinder Raina has demanded an NIA investigation into Talib’s terror links, claiming he did recce of the BJP office.

Top leaders on hit list, claims raina

Top BJP leaders were on the hit list of terrorists. Talib did recce of the BJP office. Ravinder Raina, BJP’s J&K President

The notice was issued by the party’s disciplinary committee, headed by chairman Sunil Sethi and members Virenderjeet Singh and ND Rajwal. “A letter is in circulation which indicates that you had appointed one Talib as an official of the Minority Morcha, who has been found involved in terror activities. It has been found that the appointment was neither authorised by the party president nor issued by the media cell of the party,” the notice read. “Your act of indiscipline, if the order is issued by you, has brought adverse publicity to the party and is against the national interest,” it stated.

Sheikh Bashir refused to comment, stating that he would file reply to the party’s UT president.

The BJP has been claiming that Talib was not its member, but the Opposition has demanded a probe.

At a press conference, BJP’s J&K president Ravinder Raina claimed Talib sent videos related to BJP's office and events to his Pakistani handlers. “Talib Hussain, an LeT terrorist, along with his accomplice Faizal Ahmed Dar, had been visiting the BJP office posing as a journalist. They would attend press conferences and even political rallies,” he said, while claiming that the top BJP leaders of the UT and office-bearers were on the hit list of the terrorists.

The issue has left the BJP red faced. Talib Hussain of Rajouri and Faisal Ahmed Dar of Pulwama were overpowered by villagers of Tukson Dhok in Reasi two days ago. Arms and ammunition were also seized.

DGP Dilbag Singh had on Monday said Talib was briefly associated with a political party and also posed as a reporter.

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