Arshad Farooq
Baramulla, Aug 18: Jammu and Kashmir Police Friday claimed to have busted terror modules in northern district of Baramulla by arresting ten militant associates and recovering a huge quantity of arms and ammunition.
Speaking during a presser in Baramulla, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Baramulla, Amod Nagpure) said that eight militant associates affiliated with the banned outfit Lashkar e Toiba were arrested along with huge quantity of arms and ammunition and cash from Churunda and Powarian Thaial areas of Uri in Baramulla district.
“The accused are involved in cross border smuggling of arms and ammunition at the behest of Pakistan based terror handlers and its further distribution to LeT terrorists for carrying out terror activities,” Amod said.
The SSP further said, that their aim was to provide a logistics support to the active militants across the region on the directions of Pakistan based handlers, however, a major tragedy has been averted by arresting them and several youths have been saved from falling prey to the anti-national activities.
“It is being investigated whether the associates were on a specific target or not”, the SSP said upon asking if they were intended for a specific target. There might be involvement of others, hopefully they too will be taken to task,” he said.
He said that, on 08 August this year, joint forces including Army’s 16 SIKHLI and Baramulla Police during patrolling at Churunda area of Uri apprehended a suspect from whose possession 2 grenades were recovered. Suspect identified as Showkat Ali Awan son of Abdul Karim Awan of Churunda Uri was immediately taken into custody, the SSP said.
During further questioning, Showkat revealed the names of his accomplices, Ahmad Din son of Shukur Din of Churunda Uri and Mohammad Sadeeq Khatana son of Umer Din, a resident of Churunda. Upon their disclosure after due questioning, 2 Grenades, 1 Chinese Pistol, 1 Pistol Magazine and 4 live rounds were recovered from them, he said.
The SSP further said, that similarly at Powarian Thaial Uri on 11/08/2023, during a naka checking at Powarian Thajal Uri signaled one vehicle Maruti Swift bearing number CHOID-9588 to stop, who was coming from Thajal to Uri, the vehicle was stopped, however, driver and other four persons boarding the vehicle insisted the naka party to allow them to proceed hospital due to certain medical emergencies upon which naka party felt suspicious about them.
While elaborating and divulging further details, Amod said that the Naka party immediately started search of the vehicle upon which 4 Hand Grenades, 2 Pistols, 2 Pistol Magazines, 10 live rounds & cash of 50 thousands were recovered.
The persons boarding the vehicle were taken into custody immediately, who were later identified as Akhter Neyaz Bhat sonof Neyaz Ahmed Bhat of Tarzoo Sopore, Mohammad Aslam Khatana son of Ata Mohammad Khatana of Churunda Uri, Muneer Ahmad son of Mohiuddin of Jabla Uri, Mudasir Yousuf Gaknoo son of Mohammad Yousuf Gaknoo of Krankshivan Colony Sopore and Bilal Ahmad Dar son of Ghulam Mohiuddin Dar, a resident of Hardushiva area of Sopore, the SSP said.
“Cases FIR No 103/2023 U/S 7/25 Indian Arms Act 13, 16 & UA (P) Act and FIR No 104/2023 U/S 7/25 Indian Arms Act 13, 16, 18, 23 UA (P) Act were registered in Police Station Uri and further investigations has been taken up,” he added.
Meanwhile, Police along with security forces have arrested two terrorist associates linked with proscribed terror outfit LeT and recovered two grenades and eight Pistol rounds and other incriminating materials from their possession, police said on Friday.
Police along with Army (52RR) at a joint checkpoint established at Sher Colony Tarzoo intercepted two suspicious persons who on seeing the joint party tried to flee from the spot but were apprehended tactfully, a police spokesman said.
They have been identified as Manzoor Ahmad Bhat son of Ab. Rashid Bhat and Tanveer Ahmad Lone son of Gh. Mohd Lone, both residents of Darnambal Tarzoo, linked with proscribed terror outfit LeT. During search, 02 Grenades and 8 Pistol rounds and other incriminating materials were recovered from their possession, police said.
Accordingly, police said that a case under FIR number 78/2023 under relevant sections of law has been registered and investigation has been initiated.