Srinagar: Two hybrid militants of Jaish-e-Mohammad and three Hizbul Mujahideen associates were arrested in two separate operations in Kashmir, police said on Tuesday.
They said the two JeM militants were arrested this morning by joint forces in the Pattan area of Baramulla district in north Kashmir who were planning to target Panchayati Raj Institution (PRIs) members and non locals.
“Based on specific reliable inputs regarding movement of two militants in a vehicle towards Srinagar, Mobile vehicle check posts of (Army’s) 29 RR, JKP and SSB were placed at various spots along the national highway and surrounding bylanes. A speeding Tavera in a suspicious manner was signaled to stop. The vehicle stopped abruptly and two drivers & co-driver jumped off the vehicle and fled towards a nearby wooded orchard area. Joint parties gave chase to the two and the duo were nabbed,” a statement by Baramulla police said.
The two were identified as Aqib Mohd Mir and Danish Ahmad Dar, both residents of Sopore.
“The seizure and search of the vehicle led to the recovery of incriminating materials including two Chinese pistols, 2 pistol magazines, ammunition 10 rounds and two Chinese grenades. The vehicle in which they were travelling has been seized,” it added.
“So far in the investigation, it has transpired that the duo belong to JeM hybrid module and were looking for targeting of Panchayat representatives, minority members and outsiders,” police said
“The successful apprehension of the militants has foiled major plot and busted a module that was aiding the execution of various militant attacks including the killing of sarpanches etc,” police said, adding further investigation is underway.
In a separate operation, Police said that it has busted a militant module of Hizbul Mujahideen by arresting three associates of the group, who were involved in the killing of a Panch in Kulgam district of south Kashmir last month.
On March 2, militants shot dead Independent Panch Mohammad Yaqoob Dar at Kolpora Srundoo area of Kulgam. Police later registered a case under relevant Sections of law at Police Station Kulgam and a Special Investigation Team was constituted to probe the killing.
Police said an active militant of HM received directions from handlers based in Pakistan to target the PRI members.
“During the course of investigation, it was learnt that an active militant of proscribed militant outfit HM Farooq Ahmad Bhat Cheki Desend Yaripora had received directions from militant handlers based in Pakistan to target the PRI members of Kulgam. On their directions, he identified the target and gave instructions accordingly to active militant Raja Nadeem Rather of Ashmuji to execute the militant act,” a statement by Kulgam Police said.
“He was asked to execute a militant act with the support of associates Nasser Ahmad Wani of Srandoo, Adil Manzoor Rather of Ashmuji and Majid Mohd Rather of Malipora Mirbazar. The directions included to conduct a recce of the Panch’s presence, arrange transport and provide logistics to execute the militant act,” it added.
“After strenuous efforts, Kulgam police arrested the three militant associates involved in this militant crime and also seized arms and ammunition,” the statement said.
“The investigation of the case is going on and based on the investigation, more arrests and recoveries are also expected. Efforts are on to neutralise the militants involved in this heinous crime,” it added.