Srinagar : Police on Saturday claimed to have arrested three Lashkar-e-Toiba “hybrid” militants in Sopore and Hajin areas of Baramulla and Bandipora districts of north Kashmir respectively.
“On November 4, during evening hours, a CASO (cordon-and-search-operation) was launched by Police alongwith (army’s) 22 RR at Shah Faisal Market Sopore,” police said in a statement.
During the CASO, police said, suspicious movement of a person coming from Bus Stand Sopore towards Shah Faisal Market having a bag in his hand was noted and he was subsequently asked to stop. “But he tried to flee from the spot. However (he) was tactfully apprehended by the security forces.”
Upon search of the bag, he said, one pistol along with a magazine and some rounds besides an Improvised Explosive Device were recovered.
“During preliminary questioning he revealed his identity as Mushtaq Wani son of Mushtaq Ahmad Wani
Of Hamray Pattan,” police said, adding, “Preliminary investigation has revealed the arrested person is a hybrid (militant) of LeT and was in search of an opportunity to carry out attacks on non locals, minorities, security forces and peaceful citizens.” Accordingly, police said, a case (FIR No. 250/2022) has been registered at Police station Sopore under relevant sections of law.
Police said that on further questioning, Wani revealed name of his one more accomplice (hybrid militant) Jameel Ahmed Parra son of Habibullah Parra of Tappar Pattan.
“This led to the arrest of the second (militant) alongwith Baramulla police during late hours and further war like stores and recoveries like pistol and grenades were effected.”
Further questioning of the arrested duo is going on and further disclosures as well as recoveries are expected, the police added.
Meanwhile, police said that based on specific information regarding movement of militants of LeT in Check Chandergeer area of Hajin Bandipora, a joint naka was laid by it along with CRPF’s 45 batallion and 13 RR of Army.
“While conducting search of pedestrians and vehicles ,one suspected person tried to conceal his movement/ identity on seeing the naka party and he tried to flee from the spot but was tactfully apprehended. “
Police said that upon his personal search, one hand grenade and three AK 47 live rounds were recovered from his possession. The arrested militant disclosed his identity as Mehraj U Din Rather Alias Abu Hanzla son of Manzoor Ahmad Rather resident of SK Bala Hajin, police said.
“During preliminary enquiry he disclosed that he is an active member of LeT militant outfit and is working on the directions of Pak handler alias Babar Bhai since one year and was assigned the task of reviving local militancy in Bandipora, particularly in Hajin Area since there is no local militant active in Bandipora District,” police said, adding, “He was also assigned the task of attacking security forces , non local labourers and PRIs.” Moreover he was also directed by his handlers to manage and paste anti-national posters in different areas of Bandipora District to “instill fear in the minds of general public.” (GNS)
