Delhi Police has arrested a 24-year-old of Pulwama resident, who was allegedly tasked by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed to kill Dasna Temple Priest Swami Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati.

Police said the accused, Mohd Dar from Kashmir’s Pulwama district, was arrested from a hotel in Central Delhi’s Paharganj and was allegedly paid Rs 41,000 for the job.

The police recovered a saffron dress, mala, Chandan tikka and a gun from his possession which indicate that Jan Mohammed Dar was planning to dress up like a Hindu priest to assassinate Dasna Devi temple priest Swami Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati, who had recently made controversial comments against Prophet Mohammed.

An FIR had been lodged against Saraswati last month for allegedly hurting religious sentiments with his remarks on the Prophet during a press conference in Delhi on April 1. His temple in Ghaziabad was also in the news in March, over allegations of Muslim boy being assaulted for trying to have water from the tap there.

“While searching through Dar’s luggage, police recovered a .30 bore pistol along with two magazines and 15 live rounds,” an officer claimed. This episode of an assassinated attempt reminded everyone of the avengeful murder of Kamlesh Tiwari in Uttar Pradesh.

“Abid told Dar that he was from Pakistan and associated with the JeM. They became friends and met again on April 11. They were in constant touch with each other via WhatsApp. In February, Dar came to Delhi with his sister and her father-in-law for treatment of his nephew, who has a heart ailment. Once he returned to Kashmir, Abid assigned him the assassination task,” the officer said.

Police said Abid trained him and gave him Rs 6,500 in cash. He also transferred Rs 35,000 to his account and asked him to procure a weapon from his friend in Delhi. “Police are now looking for Abid’s friend, who provided Dar with a weapon,” the officer said.

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