Srinagar: Four Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) operatives, including a police deserter – a Special Police Officer (SPO) who had decamped with two AK-47 rifles from his unit — were arrested in Budgam district of central Kashmir on Sunday, police said.
“Acting on a specific input, police along with 53RR and 181 Bn CRPF launched a cordon and search operation at Hayatpora, Chadoora. During search, one vehicle tried to flee from the cordon which was stopped tactfully, the occupants tried to resist who were overpowered by security forces,” said a police spokesman in a statement.
One of the arrested persons was identified as deserter SPO-turned-militant Altaf Hussain. The other three were identified as Shabir Ahmad Bhat, Jamsheed Magray and Zahid Dar, all residents of Pulwama, he added.
Hussain had deserted the police force earlier this year. He had decamped with two AK-47 rifles along with one Jahangir, who has already been arrested.
“On further enquiry, it was found that the group is associated with banned JeM and was operating in the area with the intention to carry out some subversive activities,” the spokesperson said.
He said arms, ammunition and other incriminating material were recovered from the arrested persons.
