Kupwara: Security forces on Thursday morning, after a brief exchange of fire, held three youth who had recently joined the militant ranks from Sogam area of Kupwara district.
A police spokesman said that on Thursday, a picture went viral on social media with three youths holding AK-47 rifles, who claimed to have joined militant ranks.
“The youth were identified as Aabid Hussain Wani son of Gulzar Ahmad resident of Lalpora, Zakir Rafiq Bhat son of Abdul Rashid resident of Lalpora and Javid Ahmad Dar son of Ghulam Qadir resident of Thayan Kalaroos,” said the spokesman.
He said that prompt contact tracing revealed their presence in the forest area of Gungbugh area of Lolab. Accordingly Kupwara Police along with 28RR and 162Bn CRPF launched a cordon and search operation in the area.
“During the search operation they started firing on the search party. However, repeated announcements were made to persuade them to surrender and after a brief shootout all the three were apprehended alive,” said the spokesman.
He said that incriminating materials including arms and ammunition were recovered from their possession.
“Case FIR No. 54/2020 under relevant sections of law registered at PS Sogam and investigation set into motion,” added the spokesman.
The spokesman said that preliminary investigation revealed that these three were in contact with militant handlers across LoC via social media, who motivated them to pick arms and join militant ranks.
