Major haul of arms, ammunition in J&K

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, March 23

The security forces recovered a major haul of arms and ammunition on Monday and arrested six suspects in north Kashmir.

Police said the recovery included eight AK rifles, 25 AK Magazines, 750 AK rounds, nine pistols, 16 pistol magazines, 351 pistol rounds, 77 grenades and 21 detonator fuses.

The recovery was made after police received an input about delivery of arms and ammunition in Sopore.

“Acting on credible information regarding delivery of arms and ammunition near District Hospital, Sopore, a special team of police, 22 RR and CRPF was constituted. The team arrested four individuals and incriminating material, including a pistol and 12 hand grenades, were recovered from them,” a police spokesman said.

The four were identified as Ahtisham Farooq Malik, a resident of Mumkak Mohalla, Batpora, Sopore; Shafqat Ali Tagoo of Jalalabad, Sopore; Nisar Ahmad Ganai of Pujipora, Krankshivan, Sopore; and Musaib Hassan Bhat of Mumkak Mohalla, Batpora, Sopore.

Their questioning revealed that they were in contact with a Pakistan-based LeT handler, who deputed them to recruit local youth for terrorist activities in the area.

“They further revealed that they had received arms from Kabir Lone, a resident of Keran, residing at Tikker, Kupwara. The accused was arrested, which led to the apprehension of another person, identified as Sharafat Khan, a resident of Keran, Kupwara,” the spokesman said.

“On the disclosure of Sharafat Khan, a joint team of police parties from Sopore and Kupwara districts, along with 6 RR, conducted searches in Keran area and recovered incriminating materials and arms and ammunition, including 8 AK rifles, 25 AK magazines, 750 AK rounds, 9 pistols, 16 pistol magazines, 351 pistol rounds, 77 grenades and 21 detonator fuses,” he said.

“As per the investigations, the main purpose of the group was to revive proscribed terror outfit LeT, to accumulate arms and ammunition for arming newly recruited terrorists and to go for target killings in order to terrorise the general public,” the spokesman said.