Baramulla: A local militant and five OGWs (Overground workers) including two women and a juvenile have been arrested in North Kashmir's Baramulla district Tuesday, J&K police said, stating that this network is spread from Kashmir valley to Pir Panchal region’s Poonch district.
As per Police, the operation has given a significant blow to the arms supply network operating across the Line of Control (LoC) and unearthed a substantial cache of weapons and ammunition.
Addressing a press conference in Baramulla, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Baramulla, Amog Nagpure, provided details of the operation, highlighting the arrest of an active LeT militant and the seizure of a few pistols and grenades.
“In this case, we have observed an arms supply racket runs from Kashmir to Poonch. We are tracking links and routes used for supplying arms. More arrests are likely to be made. These attempts are being made to destabilise peace in the region,” he said.
“The series of arrests began after the detention of two suspects in Uri on September 21. The five terror associates arrested during the operation include two women and a juvenile. The suspects were identified as Yaseen Ahmad Shah, Parvaiz Ahmad Shah, Nigeena, Aafreena alias Aayat, Mudasir Ahmad Rather, and Showkat Ahmad Malik,” he said.
“The arrest of Yaseen Ahmad Shah, who had joined the proscribed terror outfit LeT/ TRF, was a pivotal moment in the operation. He was apprehended during a joint operation involving Baramulla Police, the Army, and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) during a mobile vehicle checkpoint (MVCP) checking at Tapper Pattan on September 22, 2023.”
Further investigations led to the arrest of Parvaiz Ahmad Shah, who was found to be an associate of Yaseen Ahmad Shah. Two hand grenades were recovered from his residence.
Subsequently, during the interrogation of Yaseen Ahmad Shah and based on his disclosures, additional arms and ammunition were recovered from his residence in Janbazpora, the officer added.
“As the investigation progressed, Nigeena and Aafreena, associates of the arrested terrorists, were also apprehended, and two hand grenades were recovered from their possession.”
On September 25, following further questioning of Yaseen Ahmad Shah and Parvaiz Ahmad Shah, two more associates, Mudasir Ahmad Rather and Showkat Ahmad Malik, were identified. One Chinese grenade, one pistol, one pistol magazine, and eight live rounds were recovered from each of them.
“Investigations have revealed that the arrested terrorist and his associates were operating under the directions of handlers based in Pakistan. Their nefarious activities included recruiting more terrorists and planning terrorist activities in Baramulla and nearby areas. A case has been registered under sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UA(P)) and the Arms Act at Police Station Baramulla, and the investigation is ongoing.”
Earlier, on September 14, during a joint checkpoint operation at Paranpeelan Bridge in Uri, two individuals attempting to flee from the naka party were tactfully apprehended. Subsequent searches led to the recovery of two Glock pistols, four pistol magazines, two pistol silencers, five Chinese grenades, and 29 live pistol rounds. These individuals, identified as Zaid Hassan Malla and Muhammad Arif Channa, were involved in the cross-border smuggling of arms and ammunition on behalf of Pakistan-based terror handlers, destined for LeT terrorists, Police stated.
A case was registered under the Indian Arms Act and UA(P) Act at Police Station Uri, and further investigations led to the arrest of their associate, Aftaar Ahmad Lohar.
When questioned about the involvement of females and juveniles in militancy networks, SSP Amog Nagpure noted that such instances were not unprecedented and said that the arrested juvenile would be tried in the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) under the Juvenile Justice Act (JJA).
(KNO)