The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Sunday said that it arrested a terrorist associate from Pulwama district and recovered a 5 kg IED on his disclosure. In a tweet, The Kashmir Police Zone informed, “Pulwama Police averted a major tragedy by apprehending a terrorist associate Ishfaq Ahmad Wani r/o Arigam Pulwama and recovering an IED (approx 5-6 kgs) on his disclosure.” registered and investigation initiated.” ,
Meanwhile, the Kupwara police said it has arrested a former terrorist-turned-terrorist associate with a grenade in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district. In a handout, SSP Kupwara said, “In a joint operation, the Kupwara police along with the Army have arrested an ex-militant turned OGW with a grenade from Kralpora area of the district.”
He further said that acting on specific intelligence generated by Kupwara Police, a joint naka was set up at Main Market Carlpora by Kupwara Police and Army Camp Panjgam. During naka checking, an over ground worker who was trying to avoid the presence of naka personnel was caught roaming under suspicious circumstances, from whom a grenade was recovered. The OGW was later identified as Rafiq Ahmed Khan s/o Habib Ullah Khan, a resident of Waterkhani Drugmulla Kupwara.
Rafiq is a surrendered Pakistan trained terrorist who is now working as an OGW for the organization Hizbul Mujahideen. During preliminary investigation, he disclosed that the grenade was received by him from Chogul area of Handwara and was to be delivered to someone in Kralpora area and hurled at the security forces on the instructions of HM handler based in Pakistan.
A case has been registered at Kralpora police station under relevant provisions of the UA(P) Act and investigation is underway, reads the statement. Security has been beefed up in the north Kashmir region after five terrorists were gunned down by security forces in three consecutive encounters. Police said that while additional security personnel have been deployed on the ground, drones are being used for aerial surveillance.
Sniffer dogs are assisting the security personnel in checking vehicles at various checkpoints set up to prevent movement of terrorists or explosives from one place to another.