 S TAHIR-UL HAQ
Early Times Report
KUPWARA, Apr 13: Police on Tuesday claimed to have arrested two local militants and three over ground workers of Al-Badar outfit in Handwara area, whereas 13 associates have been arrested so far in north Kashmir.
A top police official said that, on the basis of specific information regarding the movement of militants, Handwara Police along with 32 RR and 92 Bn of CRPF established a naka at Kachloo crossing on Baramulla Handwara Highway.
During search/ checking three persons riding a motorcycle were found in suspicious condition that on seeing the search party tried to escape from the spot but were apprehended by the search party, the police official said.
However police statement said that, the apprehended persons on preliminary questioning disclosed their identity as; Mohd Yaseen Rather S/o Mohd Akbar, Showkat Ahmad Ganie S/o Sonaulla Ganie and Ghulam Nabi Rather S/o Wali Mohammad all residents of Village Kachloo Qaziabad.
On their personal search arms and ammunition and letter pad of Al-badar outfit were recovered from their possession.
During further questioning it came to surface that the trio is working with militant outfit Al-Badar as Over Ground Workers (OGW's) and are providing logistic support, food and shelter to the said militant outfit.
They were also helping to create the OGW network for militant outfits and were identifying safe routes for their movement.
In this context case vide FIR No. 20/2021 U/s 7/25 13 militant associates arrested since April 10, in north Kashmir
However, upon further investigation the arrested persons disclosed that two other persons known to them have recently joined the militant ranks and are operating in the Handwara area.
Accordingly Handwara Police along with 21RR launched a cordon and search operation in the forest area of Baderkali.
During the search operation two persons along with arms and ammunition have been arrested. They have been identified as Saleem Yousuf Rather S/o Mohd Yousuf Rather Further, Iqhlaq Ahmad Sheikh S/o Imtiyaz Ahmad both residents of Watergam.
The duo have joined militants ranks recently and were planning to attack security forces installations, pancha, sarpanchs and other peace loving people to create violence in the area. They have been arrested in the instant case and further investigation is going on.
It is pertinent to mention here that, since April 10, 13 associates including two militants of Al-Badar and its 03 OGWs, besides 08 OGWs of LeT have been arrested at different locations till date in north Kashmir.
On April 10, Six OGWs were arrested by a joint team of security forces in Sopore area that were found involved in the killing of two councilors and a policeman, and on Apr 12, two OGWs of LeT were arrested in Kreeri area and today two militants and three OGWs of Al-Badar outfit were arrested in Handwara area by a joint team of security forces. | 