Two undertrial militants from Pakistan and Jammu who police have linked to recent arms drop by drones have died in Jammu’s Kot Bhalwal jail in the past three days.

Muni Mohammad, a 36-year-old militant from Jammu who was arrested in August in a case related to the May 29 dropping of weapons in Kathua, died of a heart attack while offering namaz on Friday in his cell, police said.

On Wednesday, Pakistani militant Mohammad Ali Hussain alias Jahangir, who had been lodged in the Jammu jail for several years, died in hospital three days after being shot when he allegedly snatched a gun from the police and tried to flee during an investigation in the Arnia sector near the international border into another arms-drop case. The police said Jahangir had been masterminding from jail arms drop by drones.

Jahangir’s death triggered a protest by jail inmates. The deaths within 72 hours have also raised concern. The police claims on the causes of death could not be independently confirmed.

The National Investigation Agency is investigating a series of arms drop by drones in Jammu.

Muni had been booked for waging war, conspiracy and various sections of the anti-terror law UAPA.

The police said Jahangir was a Lashkar-e-Toiba militant. They said a policeman was injured when Jahangir opened fire.

Jammu additional director-general of police Mukesh Singh said Jahangir had been taken to Arnia with the aim of recovering weapons after he confessed during interrogation that he was instrumental in recent arms drops. It is not clear how Jahangir had links with operatives across the border while being in jail in Jammu.

Singh said Jahangir snatched the service rifle of a policeman when a packet of arms that had been recovered during the Arnia visit was being opened.

Sentences

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has said the high courts are required to give notice to the accused before enhancing sentences so that they get an opportunity to defend their case.

The apex court set aside an order of Rajasthan High Court handing the full life term to two persons accused of murder. The two had challenged in the high court their conviction by a trial court.

The Supreme Court noted that the high court enhanced the sentence without serving any notice to the duo.

PTI