Arrested for Hizb links, BSF man was told to train recruits

Majid Jahangir

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, October 6

The Border Security Force (BSF) man, who was arrested in the frontier district of Kupwara, was directed by the Hizbul Mujahideen to teach basics of handling of weapons to new recruits, police sources said.

The J&K Police on Thursday claimed to have busted a Hizbul Mujahideen module in Kupwara by arresting BSF Constable Shakir Wani, 29, and Ghulam Mustafa Sheikh, 27, both residents of Tekipora, Lolab. The police said the two were over-ground workers (OGWs) of the Hizb and were engaged in providing logistic support to militants apart from luring more youth into the path of violence.

A police officer privy to the investigation of the case said a Hizb militant based in Kupwara had advised Shakir Wani a few months ago to work for the outfit.

“A pistol was also given to him with the direction that he will teach the basics of handling the weapon to Mustafa,” the officer said, wishing anonymity. Police investigation has so far found that Wani came in contact with the Hizb in July, when he came on 10-day leave to finalise his wedding date.

“While Wani was on leave, one evening Mustafa came to him along with three militants, including Bilal Shah (who was killed in a gunfight in August). Bilal accused him of being a source of forces and demanded a hefty amount... Wani was also advised to work with Mustafa for carrying out militancy activities in the area,” the investigators have found. “Moreover, a pistol was given to him with the direction that he will teach the basics of handling the weapon to Mustafa.”

The BSF man returned to his duties in Mizoram and sought 55 more days of leave for his marriage.

“In Mizoram, he learnt about the killing of Bilal and another local militant. He got married in the second week of September. As the police got some inputs, he was picked up along with three other persons. After sustained interrogation, he led the police to the recovery of the weapon from his home,” the officer said. “While the BSF man and Mustafa have been found to have been working as OGWs, the role of other two is being investigated.”

Mustafa was also arrested under the Public Safety Act for six months during the 2016 unrest. “Mustafa was constantly in touch with Bilal through Facebook. Mustafa also talked to Manan Wani (a PhD scholar-turned-militant),” he added.