Jaish hideout busted in Awantipora, explosives recovered

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, March 18

Security forces busted a hideout of Jaish-e-Mohammad in south Kashmir’s Awantipora sub-district on Wednesday and recovered explosive material. The police said the hideout was busted by the joint forces in the wee hours following a credible input about the presence of militants in Buchoo Kamala forest area of Awantipora.

“During searches, an underground hideout of 12×12 feet was found. Further searches led forces to explosive material used for making IEDs,” a senior police officer said.

“The militants had dug a big trench in the forest area and covered it branches and twigs and used it as a hideout. The recovery includes a cane containing powdered explosive material, most likely gun powder, and a container containing electric wire,” the officer said.

“A kero stove fuel tank with wire and circuit wrapped around it, two batteries, a fan regulator, a cable roll, wires, approximately 250 gm nails, utensils and blankets were also recovered,” he added. A police spokesman in Srinagar said a case under the relevant sections had been registered in Tral police station. Another militant hideout was busted in south Kashmir’s Kulgam.

Army offers Rs6L reward for info on militant aide

Doda: After serving a massive blow to militancy in Doda district by killing militant Haroon Abbas Wani on January 15, security forces are now after his accomplice Tahir Ahmed Butt, alias Uqaab. Security agencies feel Butt is Wani’s associate and is hiding in the upper reaches of Doda. Now, the Army has pasted his posters in Doda town and kept a bounty of Rs6 lakh on his head. The Army has said Butt is a tipper driver and belongs to Pulwama district.