Srinagar, Mar 1: Security forces have arrested an associate of a Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militant who was killed in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ganderbal district in November last year, police said on Sunday.
During investigation of the case pertaining to operation Kullan in which one LeT militant was killed on November 12, 2019, it has been revealed that two militants were brought to Ganderbal district by Fayaz Ahmed Bhat, a resident of Akhal area of Kangan, a police official said.
He said Bhat is an activist of Hurriyat Conference.
“Bhat has been found to have established contacts of militants with (the) locals of Kullan area where they had (taken) refuge on different occasions and (the) said person also ferried (the) militants from Bandipora to Ganderbal at the behest of Pakistani handlers,” the official said.
Bhat was arrested and a Chinese grenade was recovered from his possession, he said.
“Previous record also shows that the said person was involved in grenade lobbying at Kangan police station in the year 2008 and an FIR under the Explosive Substances Act was registered against him. He had remained in jail for a considerable period and was also booked under the PSA (Public Safety Act),” the official added.
Meanwhile, police in Srinagar said they have arrested two active militants affiliated with LeT.
On a credible input, police along with security forces intercepted a militant borne Santro vehicle bearing registration No. JK13C-0941 on Barzulla-Chanapora road.
“While checking the vehicle with two persons on board officers were able to recover arms and ammunition from their possession. They have been identified as Vakeel Ahmed Bhat @Abu Zarrar and Omar Ismail Das both residents of Bijbehara, Anantnag,” the police spokesperson said.
According to the police records, the two are active militants affiliated with LeT. Both the militants have been arrested and shifted to police station where they remain in custody.
Incriminating materials including arms and ammunition recovered from their possession has been seized and taken into records in order to probe their complicity in other militant crimes.
Case FIR No. 40/2020 under relevant sections of law has been registered at Police Station Saddar. Further investigation in the matter is in progress.
On the same day, police in Budgam arrested four militant associates and arms and ammunition recovered from their possession.
On a credible input, police along with security forces arrested four militant associates identified as Muzamil Nabi, Umer Ajaz both residents of Kanihama, Rouf Bhat and Ishfaq Bhat both residents of Kantebagh SK Pora and recovered incriminating materials including arms and ammunition from their possession.
“As per the investigations, they were involved in providing logistic support and shelter to the active militants operating in the areas of Magam Budgam,” the spokesperson said.
Incriminating materials recovered from their possession has been seized and taken in to case records for the purpose of investigation.
Caser under relevant sections of law stands registered in police station Magam and further investigation is in progress.
