According to the Delhi Police, the former military man, identified as Riyaz Ahmad Rather, a resident of district Kupwara, is accused of conspiring with fellow members to receive arms and ammunition from across the Line of Control (LOC) under the guidance of handlers in Pakistan-controlled-Kashmir.
Police said that on February 4, Riyaz was arrested by the staff of the New Delhi Railway Station police station.
"Specific information was received from investigation agencies in Jammu & Kashmir. Riyaz Ahmad was wanted in the terror module case in which five persons were arrested and incriminating material including five AK rifles (short), five AK magazines, 16 short AK rounds were recovered," said a senior police officer.
The officer said that these arms and ammunition were sent by Pakistan controlled Kashmir based LeT handlers namely Manzoor Ahmad Sheikh a.k.a Shakoor, a resident of Gabra Karnah and Qazi Mohammad Khushal, a resident of Dhanni Karnah.
The officer mentioned that both individuals were active from the other side of the Line of Control. Additionally, it was reported that Riyaz Ahmad was evading authorities and would soon arrive at New Delhi Railway Station during the early hours.
“The police team tasked to nab him -- identified the alleged Riyaz in the crowd and apprehended him -- when he was trying to flee from Exit Gate no 1, of New Delhi Railway Station in the early morning hours.”
"He was subjected to intensive interrogation, and it was revealed that he along with his friend Altaf had boarded Mahakaushal Express from Jabalpur and reached Hazarat Nizamuddin railway station at about 3:00 p.m. on February 3. From there they took an auto and reached NDRS. Riyaz was about to go to some other hideout," said the officer.
The officer said that Riyaz Ahmad is suspected of having received a consignment of arms and ammunition from Khursheed and Ghulam, both already arrested by J&K Police.
"Riyaz Ahmad and his friend Altaf retired from the Indian Army on January 31, 2023. One mobile phone and one SIM card have been recovered from his possession," said the officer.