Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Nov 24: Security forces have launched a massive manhunt to trace out a Pakistani militant who had come to Srinagar for Fidaydeen attack two months ago and so far at least 13 people including Over Ground Workers (OGWs) have been arrested.
Mehmood Bhai alias Abu Hurraira, who, the security forces feel, had come to Srinagar two months ago to carry out a Fidayeen attack was in Srinagar for over a month after he lost contact with his group during a gun battle in Ahmad Nagar, Srinagar on October 2.
Special Operations Group of Jammu and Kashmir Police in Sopore, 22 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and 52 RR conducted several operations in Sopore during this month to trace out Abu Hurraira.
Security forces arrested Salim Ahmad Dar from Nasirabad near ITI Sopore yesterday. Salim who, security forces feel, is an OGW had given shelter to Abu Hurraira and fled along with him early this month after security forces raided his house.
However, sources said that after fleeing from Salim’s house early this month, Hurraira has now got in touch with Muzaffar Ahmad alias Muzza Molvi, who is heading LeT in North Kashmir.
Besides Salim, security forces have arrested Ifran Untoo and Jehangir Ahmad Dar for having come in contact with Hurraira after he arrived in Sopore from Srinagar early this month.
Earlier, security forces had arrested Omar Shalla, Shabir Shoosha and Obaid Ontoo for providing logistics to Abu Hurraira in Sopore. Srinagar police also arrested seven persons from Ahmad Nagar area of Srinagar where Abu Hurraira stayed for over a month before fleeing to Sopore.
Hurraira was trapped in a security cordon on October 2 in Ahmad Nagar area of Srinagar in a Shawl weaving centre after Police and CRPF launched a joint operation against him.
At least eight police men including a Sub-Inspector of Police were injured in the gun battle that raged and the LeT militant fled to nearby Anchar lake under the cover of darkness.
Security forces later launched massive searches at Ahmad Nagar and Anchar but the militant remained untraced. He was reportedly hiding in seven different houses during his stay in Ahmad Nagar and Police and CRPF launched several operations in the area but failed to trace him out.
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