Srinagar: Security forces busted a militant module of the Lashkar-e-Toiba outfit by arresting seven militants and their associates, a police spokesman said Monday.
“Investigating the recent encounters in Bandipora, police and security forces busted a terror module of LeT by arresting an active Pakistani-trained terrorist, two hybrid terrorists and four terrorist associates including a woman,” the spokesman said.
He said the “Pakistan-trained terrorist” has been identified as Arif Ajaz Shehri alias Anfal, son of Ajaz Ahmad, resident of Nadihal, who went to Pakistan on a valid visa in 2018 through Wagah Border and infiltrated back to this side after obtaining illegal arms training and started actively working with proscribed outfit LeT in Bandipora.
“The hybrid terrorists have been identified as Ajaz Ahmad Reshi, son of Abdul Majeed, resident of Rampora, and Shariq Ahmad Lone, son of Mohammad Sadiq Lone, resident of Gundpora. The arrested terrorists were tasked to carry out attacks on police, security forces and other soft targets, particularly in Bandipora district,” the spokesman said.
He said the four “terrorist associates” have been identified as Riyaz Ahmad Mir alias Metha Shehri, son of Ghulam Mohammad Mir, resident of Plan Bandipora; Ghulam Mohammad Waza alias Gul Bab, son of Ghulam Qadir Waza, resident of Tawheedabad Bagh; Maqsood Ahmad Malik, son of Mohammad Jamal Malik, resident of Chittibandy Aragam; and Sheema Shafi Waza, daughter of Mohammad Shafi, resident of Tawheedabad Bagh.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the arrested terrorist associates were involved in harbouring terrorists, providing logistics/material support including transportation of terrorists in Bandipora district. The arrested female terrorist associate was also involved in providing Wi-Fi hotspot, accommodation and ferrying terrorists in Bandipora town,” the spokesman said.
Incriminating material, arms and ammunition including two pistols, three pistol magazines, 25 pistol rounds and three hand-grenades were recovered from their possession, he said.
“One Ecco van (JK15A-1528), which was being used in ferrying of terrorists from Bandipora to Nowgam, Pantha Chowk and Srinagar was also seized. Moreover, three scooties, which were being used for doing reccee of police, security establishments, monitor movement of security forces and ferrying of terrorists in Bandipora areas, and one Maruti-800 car and one Pulsar bike were also seized,” spokesman said
Cases under the relevant sections of law have been registered and further investigation is going on, he added.
