Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Jan 23: Deputy Inspector General (DIG) North Kashmir, Gareeb Dass, today said the five Harkut-ul-Mujahideen (HuM) militants who were arrested yesterday were tasked by its leaders based in Pakistan to revive the outfit in Kashmir valley.
He said that the HuM network was busted after security forces received intelligence inputs that militants are planning to carry out attacks on security forces and VIPs on the National Highway in Sopore and Baramulla areas ahead of Republic Day.
The five militants Ishfaq Ahmad Sofi alias Umar resident of Model town Sopore and Aijaz Ahmad Gojri alias Chota Kalimullah Danish Gaffar Gojri alias Kalimullah of Drangbal Baramulla, Javed Ahmad Dar of Khanpora Baramulla and Mohammad Sameer Kandu alias Sameer Baba of Shalbaf Mohalla in Soura, Srinagar were produced before media in North Kashmir’s Baramulla during a press conference addressed by the DIG North Kashmir, and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sopore Abdul Qayoom
“Ishfaq Sofi was captured in 2006 and he was militant that time associated with HuM. We had recovered a pistol, a magazine and some other ammunition. He was imprisoned for around one and a half year and after remaining silent, he again started his activities in 2009. He was arrested at Nowpora during an encounter in which a Pakistani militant was killed in 2009 and remained in jail again for nearly two and a half year”, the DIG said.
“Then he again got active outside Sopore in 2012 and ultimately was arrested by Special Operation Group Srinagar. He remained in jail till 2013 and then lived a normal life. Last year however on July 15 he again started militant activities and came in touch with Sajjad Shaheen alias Sajjad Afghani who tasked him to revive HuM and carry out attacks in Srinagar,” the SSP said.
The DIG said though there is no specific input about the attacks ahead of Republic Day in north Kashmir areas but heightened security is in place to foil any militant attempt to derail January 26functions.
“There is no specific input about the attacks ahead of January 26 but we are alert and there is no need to worry. We are capable of neutralizing any attack if we receive input with regard to it. There would be heightened security arrangements in place. We have sensitized our personnel so that people doesn’t face inconvenience,” said the DIG.
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