Srinagar, Aug 26: Army on Sunday claimed to have arrested four newly-recruited militants while they were trying to cross the Line of Control (LoC) into Pakistan-administered-Kashmir.
“The militants were arrested along with warlike stores in upper reaches of Kalaroos in Kupwara today morning while attempting to exfiltrate across the Line of Control,” said an army spokesman.
He said the army and the state police laid an ambush after receiving “credible information” about four newly-recruited militants being guided by three cadres of Al Badr outfit for a planned exfiltration.
“After a brief gunfight, extreme restraint was exercised and opportunity (was) given to the militants to surrender,” he said.
The spokesman said that four recruits surrendered while the three Al Badr militants fled under cover of fire.
An official identified the arrested youth as Umar Bashir Sheikh (23) of Chotipora, Handwara; Danish Khazer Sheikh (22), Waseem Ahmad Khan (23) of Chotipora, Handwara and Tahir Habib Bhat of Khuru. Officials said they had joined militancy only a day before on Aug 24.
“Search is on to trace the other militants,” spokesman said.
