SRINAGAR: Security forces arrested two militant associates of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday and recovered arms and ammunition from their possession.
Acting on specific information regarding the movement of terrorists in Frestihar Kreeri village, the security forces placed a mobile vehicle checkpoint (MVCP) at the Frestihar Waripora crossing, a police spokesperson said.
Two suspects who were coming towards the crossing tried to flee when they noticed the security personnel but were apprehended tactfully, he said.
During a search of the duo, two Chinese pistols, two magazines and 15 pistol rounds were recovered. They were immediately taken into custody, the spokesperson said.
The arrested accused were identified as Suhail Gulzar of Frestihar Kreeri and Waseem Ahmad Pata of Hudipora Rafiabad, both militant associates of LeT, he said.
A case has been registered against them under the Arms Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and an investigation is underway, he said.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Police’s State Investigation Agency (SIA) on Thursday raided nine locations in south Kashmir in the ongoing investigation into the killing of a Kashmiri Pandit earlier this year.
Sanjay Sharma (40), who worked as an ATM guard, was shot dead by suspected militants in the Achan area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on February 26.
On Thursday, SIA Kashmir carried out searches at nine locations in three districts of Pulwama, Shopian, and Anantnag in south Kashmir.
“Some electronic gadgets including mobile phones, electronic storage devices, SIM cards, documents, bank documents etc relevant to the ongoing investigation have been seized during these searches and preliminary questioning provided very pertinent leads in the case,” officials of the SIA said.
The searches were carried out in pursuance of search warrants issued by the Special Court for UAPA offences (designated under the NIA Act) Pulwama, actively assisted by sister agencies, during the pre-dawn hours today, they said.
The case of killing of Sharma was initially investigated by Pulwama Police and subsequently it was transferred to the SIA Kashmir.
“Investigation is progressing well and the agency is hopeful of taking it to its logical conclusion,” the SIA officials said.
Meanwhile, the property of a militant associate was attached on Thursday in Anantnag district, police said.
The under construction residential house of a militant associate Mohammad Ishaq Malik of Danwathpora Kokernag was attached by J&K police’s Special Investigation Unit (SIU) after they found the structure was used by militants of Hizbul Mujahideen, they said.
“ The under construction residential house used for terrorist activities was attached after obtaining necessary sanctions from the competent authority,” a police spokesman said.
Police said during the course of investigation in a case registered in 2022 in Police Station Kokernag under UA(P) Act, it was found that the under construction residential house belonging to Malik was used by militants of Hizb.
“Accordingly, process for attachment of property belonging to the above accused falling within the ambit proceeds of terrorism was initiated by SIU Anantnag under section 25 of UA(P) Act & the confirmation related to the attachment of property was accorded by the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir,” the spokesman said.
Police said the house was attached as part of continuing crackdown on harbouring militants and providing logistic support to them.
Police have once again advised the general public to not harbour or provide shelter or extend logistics to militants or militant associates in their houses, failing which strict legal action will be taken against anyone doing so.
“ SIU shall continue identification and initiation of attachment /confiscation of properties falling under the ambit of proceeds of terrorism to shake the ecosystem of terrorism in UT of J&K,” the spokesman said.
