2 LeT hybrid militants, another held in North Kashmir

Arms, ammunition recovered

Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Nov 5: Security forces today arrested two hybrid militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) in Sopore area and a militant from Bandipora in North Kashmir.
A police spokesman said that on 4th November evening, a cordon and search operation was launched by police and 22 RR of Army at Shah Faisal Market Sopore.
He said that 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 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, one pistol, one pistol magazine, some pistol rounds and an Improvised Explosive Device were recovered,” he said.
The police spokesman said during preliminary questioning, he revealed his identity as Rizwan Mushtaq son of Mushtaq Wani, resident of Hamray Pattan in Baramulla district.
He said Rizwan is a hybrid militant of the LeT and was in search of an opportunity to carry out attacks on non-locals, minorities, security forces and peaceful citizens.
A case (FIR No. 250/2022) has been registered at Police Station Sopore against him and investigations are going on.
“On further questioning, the said apprehended militant revealed the name of his one more accomplice and hybrid militant Jamesl Ahmad Parra son of Habibullah Parra, resident of Tappar Pattan,” he said.
“This led to the arrest the second hybrid militant, Parra by police during late hours and war like stores/ recoveries like pistol and grenades were effected,” he said.
“Further questioning of the arrested duo is going on and further disclosures as well as recoveries are expected,” the spokesman added.
In the meantime, security forces arrested a LeT militant in Check Chandergeer area of Hajin in district Bandipora today.
A police spokesman said that they received specific information regarding movement of militants of LeT in the Check Chandergeer area of Hajin.
He said that acting on the information Bandipora police, CRPF and 13 RR Army laid a joint Naka at Check Chandergeer Hajin and during the search of pedestrians and vehicles, one suspected person tried to conceal his movement and identity. On seeing the naka party, he tried to flee from the spot but was tactfully apprehended.
“On his personal search, one hand grenade and three AK 47 live rounds were recovered from his possession. The arrested militant disclosed his identity as Mehrajudin alias Abu Hanzla son of Manzoor Ahmad Rather of SK Bala in Hajin Bandipora.
“During preliminary enquiry, he disclosed that he is an active member of LeT 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 District, particularly in Hajin area. Since there is no local militant active in Bandipora district, 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 the general public,” he said.
“It is pertinent to mention here that Pak handler alias Babar Bhai also motivated him to recruit local youth in militant ranks in order to disturb peace and tranquility in the area,” he added.
A case (FIR No. 79/2022) has been registered in Police Station Hajin and further investigation taken up.