Five militant associates of Hizbul Mujahideen were arrested along with arms and ammunition in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, police said here on Friday.
According to a statement, issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a spokesperson said credible information was received by District Police Kupwara and Army from Military intelligence and other intelligence agencies that a militant module of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) outfit is active in Kralpora area which is not only helping the militants in providing safe shelter but also other logistics including arms and ammunition.
“Based on this information, joint team of Police and Army apprehended three associates namely Ab Rouf Malik Son of Gh Mohammad Malik and Altaf Ahmad Payer Son of Gh Qadir Payer both residents of Dardsun Kralpora and Riyaz Ahmad Lone Son of Mohammad Yousuf Lone of Kralpora,” reads the statement.
It reads during questioning the trio disclosed about two hideouts constructed for militants of HM outfit on the instructions of a Pakistan-based handler Farooq Ahmad Pir @ Nadeem Usmani of Kakroosa Kupwara where some arms and ammunition has also been concealed.
“Both the two hideouts have been unearthed on the disclosure and identification of arrested trio. 01 AK rifle, 02 AK Magazines, 119 AK Ammunition, 01 Pistol, 01 Pistol Mag, 04 Pistol Rounds, 06 Hand Grenades, 01 IED, 02 Detonators, 02 wire bundles and one water tank of approximately 100 liters capacity has been recovered from the hideouts,” it reads.
It further reads the trio also received cash amounting to rupees 6 lakh in June 2022 which was meant to procure material for construction of hideouts and procuring of arms and ammunition.
“Rupees 64000 out of this 6 lakh has also been recovered. Two more associates namely Ab Majeed Beigh Son of Ghulam Mohammad Beigh resident of Humhama Budgam and another from Bandipora who have been actively supporting the trio in their activities have also been detained for investigation,” it added
It reads the associates were also being handled by one more handler Fayaz Geelani of Budgam presently based in POK.
“The arrested group in addition to providing logistic support, arms and ammunition and other facilities for the commission of militant activities was also tasked to select targets in valley and also radicalize more youth to join militant ranks,” it reads.
As per the statement, a case FIR No. 98/2022 under relevant sections of UA(P) Act has been registered in Police Station Kralpora and has investigation taken up—(KNO)