Srinagar: Security forces have apprehended two “hybrid militants” of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in south Kashmir’s Shopian district, officials said on Thursday.
The officials said it was a “major operational success”.
“Hybrid militants” are those who are not listed as ultras but are radicalised enough to carry out a terror strike and then slip back into routine life.
Giving details of the operation, the officials said security forces launched a cordon and search operation (CASO) on Wednesday night in the Baskuchan area following specific input.
“The area was effectively cordoned and the movement of terrorists was observed in a nearby orchard. Swift and strategic action by the forces led to the successful surrender of two LeT hybrid terrorists, averting a potential encounter,” they said.
The two were identified as Irfan Bashir and Uzair Salam, they added.
Two AK-56 rifles, four magazines, 102 rounds, two hand grenades, two pouches, Rs 5,400 in cash, a mobile phone, a smartwatch and an Aadhaar card were recovered from their possession.
A case has been registered and an investigation has been launched, the officials said.
Meanwhile, two persons, including an alleged overground worker of terrorists, were detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA) in Kishtwar district, officials on Thursday said.
The two detained have been identified as overground worker (OGW) Rustam Ali of Hunjala tehsil and notorious criminal Arshad Hussain of Guryan, they said.
Kishtwar District Magistrate Rajesh Kumar Shravan issued warrants under the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act for detention of Ali and Hussain, said officials, adding they were, accordingly, detained and sent to jail.
The dossiers prepared by the sponsoring authority, the district magistrate of Kishtwar, found Ali’s conduct detrimental to the region’s security, as he was found to be involved in providing logistics and other support to terrorists.
“Ali was also found indulging in reviving and facilitating militant activity in the district.” Hussain, the other detainee, was found involved in a series of criminal cases registered against him.
So far, a total of eight persons have been detained by the district magistrate of Kishtwar as a tough measure against anti-national elements and criminals.
“No inimical element, including those who obstruct the execution of government infrastructure projects of national importance, will go scot-free,” the district magistrate told reporters.
He warned such notorious elements to refrain from indulging in mischievous activities failing which they would face tough action as warranted under law.
