The Kashmir Pulse

KUPWARA — The National Investigation Agency (NIA) announced on Thursday the attachment of properties belonging to four individuals accused of militancy involvement in the northern region of Kashmir.

According to official sources quoted by a local news agency, the action is part of an intensified security crackdown in Kashmir. The four properties were seized as part of RC 03/2020, allegedly implicating members of outfits Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), among others.

The properties were attached in north Kashmir's Handwara, within the context of the NIA Jammu case RC 03/2020 related to 'narco-terrorism' involving Hizbul Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Toiba. Under Section 25 of the UA(P) Act, the NIA also seized a total of Rs 2.27 crore in cash.

Officials stated that the case pertains to the utilization of proceeds from narcotic drugs to fund militant activities by LeT and HM operating in the Handwara-Kupwara region.

SRINAGAR — The Kashmir unit of the State Investigation Agency (SIA) has filed a charge sheet against Sarjan Ahmad Wagay, commonly known as Sarjan Barkati, along with his wife and Abdul Hamid Lone, an active militant of Hizbul Mujahideen believed to be based in Pakistan. The charge sheet was presented before the Special UAPA Court in Kulgam, according to the statement provided by SIA.

The case, registered on March 3, 2023, under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UA(P)A) and the Indian Penal Code (IPC), alleges that Sarjan Ahmad Wagay, a resident of Rebban, Zainapora, Shopian, was involved in a criminal conspiracy to promote militant and secessionist ideologies.

It is claimed that Wagay, also known as Sarjan Barkati, incited youth to join militant ranks through inflammatory speeches and received funds from suspicious sources, including his Pakistan-based handler, intended for militant activities.

The investigation revealed that Wagay, his wife, and their alleged handler in Pakistan generated funds amounting to INR 1.74 crores, which were purportedly used to support militant activities in Jammu and Kashmir. The trio maintained communication through secret messaging applications to execute their plans.

While two of the accused are in custody, the third remains at large in Pakistan. The charge sheet, presented within the statutory period of investigation and with government sanction, includes offences punishable under UA(P)A and IPC.

SIA stated that the investigation is ongoing to apprehend other suspects associated with the accused.

SRINAGAR — In a significant development, the Special Designated NIA Court, Srinagar has declared six members of a narco-module as proclaimed offenders. "This action comes in the wake of their involvement in the cross-border smuggling of narcotics in collaboration with Lashkar-e-Taiba/Hizbul Mujahideen operatives from across the border."

"The illicit drugs were subsequently distributed among the youth, while the proceeds were used to fuel terror activities by financing and strengthening the activities of the LeT and HM militant organizations," State Investigation Agency (SIA) said in a statement.

SIA in its statement to the news agency KDC said, “During the investigation of the case FIR No. 19/2022, the State Investigation Agency Kashmir successfully dismantled a narco-terror module and apprehended several of its members. Notable among these were Rubeena Nazir from Sopore and central jail detainee Ishfaq Ahmad Mir."

"These individuals were found to be operating the narco-terror module in collusion with terror handlers located across the border. While six members of the module have already been apprehended, several others have been identified and are currently under active pursuit,” it added.

State Investigation Agency has been diligently tracking down the accused who remain at large, they said, adding that multiple locations across the Union Territory have been subject to raids as part of these ongoing operations.

SIA further said among the absconding individuals, the six members of the narco-terror module have been declared as proclaimed offenders by the Special Designated NIA Court after SIA apprised the court about the investigation conducted so far and were identified as Abdul Rashid Bhat son of Ghulam Mohammad Bhat, resident of Lakripora Padgampora, Awantipora; Abdul Rashid Mir son of Mohammad Sultan Mir, resident of Amargrah Sopore; Sageer Ahmad Poswal son of Nazir Ahmad Poswal, resident of Amrohi, Tangdhar, Karnah, Kupwara.

Iftikhar Ahmad Sheikh son of Abdul Lateef Sheikh, resident of Amrohi, Tangdhar, Karnah, Kupwara; Basharat Ahmad Poswal son of Mohammad Sadiq, resident of Parda Karna, Kupwara and Javid Ahmad Thakkar, also known as Raja Thakkar, son of Tasaduq Hussain Thakkar, resident of Barhon Thanamandi Rajouri were also identified as proclaimed offenders.

"The State Investigation Agency is leaving no stone unturned in its quest to apprehend the absconding offenders. SIA Kashmir stands firm in its commitment to ensure that these individuals are brought to justice at the earliest possible time," reads the statement.

POONCH — Hizb-ul-Mujahideen "commander" Muneser Hussain of Poonch was killed along with his “bodyguard” along the Line of Control as the army foiled an infiltration bid in this district on Monday, officials said.

While the body of the Hizbul commander was recovered along with a huge cache of arms and ammunition, his bodyguard's body could not be retrieved as he managed to return to the other side of LoC in Degwar sector before falling on the ground, they said. “He is presumed dead.”

"The killed (militant) has been identified on the basis of police records as Muneser Hussain son of Sattar Mohammad of Bagyladra Poonch," Lt Col Suneel Bartwal PRO (Defence) Jammu said in a statement to the news agency GNS. "He was a Divisional Commander of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM)."

In 1993, he said, he went to PaK, came back in 1996 and again returned to PaK in 1998. "He has masterminded a number of attacks on SFs. As per police records, his family of two wives and children are residents of Surankote, Poonch."

Hussain was a close associate of Maulana Dawood Kashmir (TuJ) who in turn is a close associate of Syed Salahuddin (HM), he said.

"Recently a high-level meeting of the HM group took place in Islamabad which he attended. The agenda of the meeting was a revival of HM in Rajouri Poonch," he said, adding, "From this, we can make out that Muneer Hussain along with his bodyguard was sent with the agenda of reviving HM in Rajouri Poonch / South of Pir-Panjal (SPPR)."

The PRO said that Hussain was given a larger leadership role of "Tanzeems and told to revive terrorism South of Pir Panjal". Hussain, he said, was the senior leader of HM. "He is the most dreaded (militant) killed in the last 10 years in Rajouri/Poonch."

He said it was evident that Pak is trying to send old militant "veterans" to J&K to motivate and recruit youth, thus making "desperate attempts to revive" militancy.

SRINAGAR — Police on Thursday said that its Special Investigation Unit attached under construction residential house of a militant associate in Danwathpora Kokernag area of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district after obtaining necessary sanctions from the competent authority.

In a handout to the news agency GNS, the police said that during the course of investigation in case FIR No. 103/2022 of Police Station Kokernag under UA(P) Act, an under-construction residential house belonging to a militant associate, namely Mohammad Ishaq Malik son of Mohammad Saifullah Malik, resident of Danwathpora Kokernag, has been found used by militants of proscribed militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen.

"Accordingly, the process for attachment of property belonging to the above accused falling within the ambit proceeds of militancy was initiated by SIU Anantnag under section 25 of UA(P) Act & the conformation related to the attachment of property was accorded by the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir," the spokesperson said.

He said, "The general public is once again advised not to harbour or provide shelter or extend logistics to militants/militant associates in their houses, failing which strict legal action will be taken against anyone doing so."

"SIU shall continue identification and initiation of attachment/confiscation of properties falling under the ambit of proceeds of militancy to shake the ecosystem of terrorism in UT of J&K," reads the statement.

SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir Police on Thursday claimed to have achieved a major breakthrough into the assassination case of late Mirwaiz Molvi Muhammad Farooq, who was killed at this Nigeen residence on May 21, 1990, by arresting two Hizb-ul-Mujahideen militants who were evading arrest since over three decades.

The police said the arrested militants includes the one who had entered into the bedroom of late Mirwaiz and opened fire at him.

Addressing a press conference at the police control room (PCR) here, Special Director General of Police (CID), RR Swain said that on May 21, 1990, a case regarding the killing of Mirwaiz Muhammad Farooq was lodged in Police Station Nigeen under FIR No. 61/1990. “Then the case was transferred to CBI. The CBI had presented a charge sheet against one accused after arresting him before the TADA court after which the court awarded a lifer to him,” he said, as per the news agency KNO.

The Special DG CID said that investigations into the case revealed that Hizb commander Abdullah Bangroo had hatched a conspiracy to kill Mirwaiz. “Bangroo and his associate (both Hizb commanders) were killed in encounters while one accused was serving a lifer. Two more accused — Javaid Bhat and Zahoor Ahmed Bhat, both residents of Srinagar were arrested by the State Investigating Agency (SIA). They were evading arrest as they were hiding in Pakistan and Nepal over the years. Both have been arrested and handed over to CBI as proclaimed offenders,” the police officer said.

He said that one of the two arrested Hizb militants Zahoor Ahmed Bhat was the one who had entered into the bedroom of Mirwaiz and opened fire at him. The Special DG, however, didn’t reveal where the duo was arrested.

SRINAGAR — The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday intensified its security crackdown in Kashmir by attaching the properties of three accused linked with various banned Pakistan-based militant organizations, a spokesman said.

The NIA has stepped up its vigil against militant outfits, their affiliates, agents and over-ground workers (OGWs) by conducting raids on properties of suspects and accused across locations, and has been moving swiftly to take action in such cases, a statement issued to the news agency KNO reads.

NIA attached the immovable properties of three accused in two different cases of militant activities involving members, cadres of outfits like the Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), among others, it said.

In the first case, NIA attached the immovable properties of two accused, Doulat Ali Mugal and Ishaq Pala, in Herman Shopian area in Kashmir under the UA(P) Act, the statement said.

“While Ishaq Pala, currently lodged in Central Jail Agra, was a terrorist of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM)/Al-Badr, Doulat Ali Mugal was an overground worker of the proscribed HM and is currently out on bail. The former, while in Central Jail Srinagar, had conspired with his co-accused, including Riyaz Naikoo and Doulat Ali Mugal, and assisted Danish Ghulam Lone and Suhail Ahmad Bhat to cross the border from Kupwara sector to join militant ranks and wage a war against the State. Accused Doulat Ali Mugal had provided logistic support to accused Danish Ghulam Lone and Suhail Ahmad Bhat at Kupwara when both were about to cross the LoC,” the statement said.

The duo was charge-sheeted by the NIA on February 22, 2019 and charges were framed by the NIA Special Court Jammu on August 06, 2019.

The properties attached on orders of NIA Special Court include land measuring 5.5 Marla and 3.5 Marla under Survey No. 1597 Min and 1598 Min, including one double-storey house of accused Doulat Ali Mugal located at Manigah village in Kupwara, and immoveable property in the form of two rooms under the ownership of accused Ishaq Pala at Allora village, Tehsil Herman, Shopian, the statement added.

The NIA had launched investigations into the case in February 2018, and had busted an HM module of OGWs/militants, the statement said, adding that the others arrested and charge-sheeted in the case were Danish Ghulam Lone, Suhail Ahmad Bhat, Feeroz Ahmad Lone, while a key conspirator, Reyaz Ahmad Naikoo, a top militant of Hizbul Mujahideen, was killed in an encounter with the security forces.

In the second case, the agency attached the immovable property of accused Fayaz Ahmad Magray, an overground worker of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and currently lodged in District Jail Jhajjar, Haryana, the statement said, adding that the property consisted of six shops constructed over land measuring 5.5 Marlas under Survey No. 2664 Min at Lethpora, Pulwama, belonging to the accused.

Fayaz was charge-sheeted on August 01, 2018 for conspiring, along with local/Pakistani militants of JeM, to execute a Fidayeen attack on CRPF Group Centre Lethpora, Pulwama, it said, adding that he carried out a recce of the CRPF centre, and provided logistic support to JeM militants before and after the attack.

During the attack, two militants, Fardeen Ahmad Khandey and Manzoor Ahmad Baba, along with one Pakistani Abdul Shakoor, were killed inside the CRPF Group Centre Lethpora. Other key conspirator militants, namely Mudassir Khan and Sajjad alias Mufti Waqas (Pakistani), were killed in subsequent encounters, the statement said.

The NIA launched investigations in February 2018 into the criminal conspiracy to commit acts of militancy and violence in Kashmir. Its investigations led to the busting of a module of overground workers of JeM.

Besides Fayaz Ahmad Magray, other accused arrested in the case were identified as Nissar Ahmad Tantray, Syed Hilal Andrabi, Irshad Ahmad Reshi. All of them were subsequently charge-sheeted by the NIA, the statement added.

SRINAGAR — Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of Kashmir Police carried out searches in the house of an active Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) commander in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Saturday.

A statement issued by SIU stated that it conducted searches in the residential premises of Abdul Gani Bhat, father of active militant Farooq Ahmad Bhat alias Nali, at Chek Desen Yaripora.

Farooq Bhat is an active militant of the proscribed militant outfit HM and is wanted in many militant-related cases.

The spokesman further stated that the searches were conducted after Designated Special Judge under NIA Act, Kulgam issued a search warrant in case FIR No. 142/2019 of Police Station Yaripora in Kulgam.

The case pertains to the killing of five non-local labourers at Katrosa Kulgam in the year 2019. The SIU said that it is investigating the case and has been conducting searches and investigations to bring the perpetrators to justice.

KUPWARA — A day after the property of a TRF militant was attached in Sopore, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday attached the property of a slain Hizbul Mujahideen militant commander in Kralpora area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.

An official told the news agency KNO that the property belonged to Bashir Ahmed Peer alias Imtiyaz Alam son of Late Mohammad Sikander Peer, a resident of Babapora, Kralpora who was shot dead in Rawalpindi on February 21 by unknown gunmen in Pakistan.

"Immovable property land measuring 3 kanals under survey numbers 3807/1479, 3810/1480, 1497and 1480 situated at Estate Batpora, Tehsil Kralpora, District Kupwara, J&K (UT) was attached by the NIA and were accompanied by the Jammu and Kashmir Police," the official added.

He said Imtiyaz was also designated an 'individual terrorist' under the UA(P)A and accused of NIA Case RC-29/2021/NIA/DLI by the order of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, dated 13-02-2023.

Notably, Peer as per the Ministry of Home Affairs participated in a number of online propaganda groups to unite ex-militants and other cadres for the expansion of activities of Hizbul Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and other militant organizations.

Pertinently, this is the third such action against militants operating from across the border.

Earlier on Thursday NIA attached the property of Mushtaq Ahmad Zargar alias ‘Latram’ - founder and chief commander of Al-Umar Mujahideen in Nowhatta area of Srinagar and on Friday, the property of TRP militant who is operating from Pakistan, Basit Reshi was attached in Sopore area.

SRINAGAR — National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday attached the property of a Hizbul Mujahideen commander (based in Pakistan) Basit Reshi in Sopore area of north Kashmir, officials said here.

Basit, affiliated with Pak based militant organization - Hizbul Mujahideen and a resident of Hardshiva in Sopore was declared a designated "Terrorist" under the UAPA (a stringent act legislated to control militant activities) by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) recently. The NIA stated that Basit is currently working for The Resistance Front (TRF).

An official told the news agency KNO that the immovable property (agriculture land) around nine marlas falling under the Khasra No. 1962, 1945 at Edipora in Zaingeer Tehsil was attached by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) which was accompanied by the Jammu and Kashmir Police by the order of Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, dated 13-02-2023.

Basit, who as per the officials is currently in Pakistan, was involved in subversive activities and coordinating target killings in Jammu and Kashmir. "Basit had planned and executed an attack on a police guard post at Tujar Sharief on August 18, 2015, in which police personnel and a civilian were killed," they said.

Reshi is presently involved in the terror activities of TRF. He manages and supplies arms/ammunition as well as funds for TRF from across the border, they added.

"Basit was 14 years old, a Class 9th student when he left his home and since then, they have had no input from him. Even in the year 2017, the rumors of Basit being killed by some unknown gunmen were also doing rounds, but God knows better where he is," said Reshi's family.

It is pertinent to mention that this is the second such action by the NIA teams. Earlier on Thursday, it attached the property of Mushtaq Ahmad Zargar alias ‘Latram’ - founder and chief commander of Al-Umar Mujahideen in Nowhatta area of Srinagar.

Meanwhile, in a handout, NIA said that continuing the strong action against 'terrorists' operating from Pakistan soil, the NIA has attached the property of Basit Ahmad Reshi son of Mohd Ramzan Reshi, located in district Baramulla. This action closely follows the attachment of the Srinagar-based property of Mushtaq Zargar alias Latram, the founder and Chief Commander of Al-Umar Mujahideen yesterday.

Basit Ahmad Reshi is a ‘listed terrorist’ under the UA(P) Act and has been operating from Pakistan after his exfiltration to Pakistan. He has been found funding 'terror activities' and acts in the valley, it reads.

Basit Ahmad Reshi joined the militant ranks in 2015 and was involved in the planning and execution of a 'terror attack' at Police Guard Post in Sopore that killed one Constable and injured others. Basit was earlier associated with the banned 'terrorist' outfit Hizbul-Mujahideen and later exfiltrated to Pakistan.

Basit Ahmad Reshi is presently involved in 'terror activities' of The Resistance Front' (TRF) and manages and supplies arms/ammunition as well as funds for TRF from across the border.

Reshi’s agricultural land measuring 9.25 marlas has been attached under the provisions of UA(P) Act. Representatives of the State government and State Police assisted the NIA in the attachment process.

To date, NIA has attached the properties of five designated 'terrorists', namely US-based Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, Canada-based Hardeep Singh Nijjar, and Pakistan-based terrorists - Mushtaq Zargar alias Latram, Basit Ahmad Pir and KCF (Panjwar) Paramjit Singh alias Panjwar.

In addition, NIA recently attached, under UAPA, the Hurriyat Office in Srinagar, which was owned in part by Nayeem Khan, an accused charge-sheeted by the NIA in the Hurriyat funding case.

SRINAGAR — Two local militants and a soldier were killed in a gunfight that broke out in Padgampora, Awantipora in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, officials said on Tuesday.

An unnamed official quoted by the news agency KNO said that on specific input about the presence of militants, a joint team of Police, Army and CRPF after receiving information about the presence of militants launched a search operation in Padgampora, Awantipora.

He said that as the joint team of forces intensified searches towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon the party, which retaliated, thus triggering an encounter.

The official said that during the exchange of fire, two militants were killed and they have been identified as Aqib Mushtaq Bhat of Malangpora and Aijaz Bhat of Pastuna, Tral.

A police spokesman in a statement issued to KNO said that in a bravely executed operation, based upon specific input, joint forces of the Army, J&K Police and CRPF launched a cordon in Padgampora village of Awantipora.

“During the search, terrorists hiding inside a mosque opened indiscriminate fire upon search parties and in this initial exchange of fire, two jawans of the Army sustained grievous injuries while neutralizing one terrorist on spot. One of the jawans later on attained martyrdom,” the spokesman said, adding that “extreme caution and limited firepower was used in view of the sacred precincts. Civilians praying inside were also evacuated on time, preventing any collateral damage.”

The spokesman said that the after resuming the search for the second terrorist who was holed up inside a bathroom of an adjacent building, again caution was exercised and 14 civilians were rescued from the place before he was neutralized.

“Killed terrorists have been identified as Aqib Mushtaq Bhat of Malangpora, Pulwama (A-Category) associated with proscribed terror outfit HM and for past few months working with TRF and Aijaz Ahmad Bhat of Syedabad Pastuna Tral (C-Category) associated with terror outfit JeM and also working in coordination with TRF. Aqib was active since January 2021 and Aijaz was active since May 2022,” he said.

The spokesman said that incriminating materials, arms and ammunition including one AK-47 rifle, one AK-74 rifle, one pistol, three grenades, two pouches, five AK magazines, two pistol magazines, 103 AK rounds, 20 pistol rounds and two Aadhar cards were recovered from the site of the encounter.

The spokesman said that investigation so far revealed that both the slain, although joined through different organisations, had come together to conspire and attack minorities, outsiders, other vulnerable targets and security forces.

He went on to state that they were involved in FIR No. 14/2023 of Police Station Litter (recent killing of Kashmiri Pandit Sanjay Pandita at Achan, Pulwama), FIR No. 82/2022 of Police Station Pulwama (attack on two outside labourers at Lajoora), FIR No. 115/2022 of Police Station Tral (weapon snatching attempt), FIR No. 76/2022 of Police Station Tral (OGW module which supported them for grenade lobbing) among many other cases.

ADGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar paid rich tributes to the martyred soldier and appreciated the joint efforts of police and security forces for conducting such a complex operation where a hostage situation was defused tactfully and also the sanctity of the mosque was maintained.

Army Version: Defence spokesman in Srinagar in a statement to the news agency KNO said that based on a specific input, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by the Army, Police and CRPF at about 6:35 PM on February 23 at Patgampora, Pulwama.

“In order to evade security forces, the terrorists occupied a mosque in the target area. Ensuring the sanctity of the mosque, the security forces closed in and appealed to the terrorists to surrender. The terrorists, however, opened indiscriminate fire on security forces and when cornered, used civilians in the target area as a shield to escape," the statement said.

It added, "The security forces displayed utmost restraint and evacuated civilians praying inside the mosque, thereby preventing any collateral damage. The security forces fired with extreme caution to preserve the sacred precincts and neutralized one terrorist on the spot.”

The Defence spokesman said that the second terrorist fled and hid in the adjacent building housing the local citizens. “In the intense firefight, lasting several hours, the security forces subsequently not only neutralized the second terrorist but also safely evacuated the civilians trapped inside the house."

"During this action, Sepoy Pawan Kumar and Naik Hemraj, lead from the front and suffered multiple gunshot wounds and were immediately evacuated to 92 Base Hospital, Srinagar. Subsequent to the elimination of both the terrorists, the search of the area resulted in the recovery of two AK series rifles, one pistol, three grenades and other war-like stores,” the statement said.

It added, “Sepoy Pawan Kumar in a sheer act of bravery overpowered the first terrorist in hand-to-hand combat and was grievously injured. He subsequently succumbed to his injuries, making the supreme sacrifice in the highest traditions of the Army.”

ANANTNAG — An extension wall of the house of a Hizb-ul-Mujahideen militant, based in Pakistan, built on encroached government land in Liver Pahalgam area of south Kashmir's Anantnag district was demolished by authorities on Saturday, officials said here.

A top official told the news agency KDC that the extension wall of the house of Ghulam Nabi Khan alias Amir Khan who crossed over to Pakistan in the early 90's and is operating from there, had encroached on a piece of land in Liver was demolished by the authorities early morning.

He said Khan is Deputy Chairman of the United Jihad Council, based in Pakistan but originally from Liver village in Anantnag. He (Khan) had encroached 3 Marla public land on ‘gun point’, the officer said, adding that today the encroachment was removed by the authorities.

Earlier, the house of Jaish militant Ashiq Nengroo alias Amjid Bhai of Rajpora Pulwama was also demolished by the authorities.

KUPWARA — Five Hizb-ul-Mujhaideen militant outfit associates have been arrested and arms and ammunition recovered from their possession in north Kashmir's Kupwara district, police said on Thursday.

"A credible information was received by District Police Kupwara and Army from military intelligence and other intelligence agencies that a militant module of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) outfit is active in Kralpora area which is not only helping the militants in providing safe shelter but also other logistics including arms and ammunition," said a police spokesman in a statement issued to the news agency GNS.

"Based on this information, a joint team of Police and Army apprehended three militant associates namely Ab Rouf Malik son of Gh Mohammad Malik and Altaf Ahmad Payer son of Gh Qadir Payer, both residents of Dardsun Kralpora and Riyaz Ahmad Lone son of Mohammad Yousuf Lone of Kralpora," reads the statement.

It added, "During questioning, the trio disclosed about two hideouts constructed for militants of HM outfit on the instructions of a Pakistan-based handler Farooq Ahmad Pir @ Nadeem Usmani of Kakroosa Kupwara, presently based in PoK where some arms and ammunition has also been concealed."

"Both the two hideouts have been unearthed on the disclosure and identification of the arrested trio. 01 AK rifle, 02 AK Magazines, 119 AK Ammunition, 01 Pistol, 01 Pistol Mag, 04 Pistol Rounds, 06 Hand Grenades, 01 IED, 02 Detonators, 02 wire bundles, and one water tank of approximately 100 liters capacity has been recovered from the hideouts," it added.

The trio, the statement reads, also received cash amounting to rupees 6 lacs in June 2022 which was meant to procure material for the construction of hideouts and procuring of arms and ammunition with rupees 64000 out of this 6 lacs has also been recovered.

"Two more militant associates including Ab Majeed Beigh son of Ghulam Mohammad Beigh, resident of Humhama Budgam and another from Bandipora, who have been actively supporting the trio in their activities, have also been detained for investigation," the statement reads.

It said, "The militant associates were also being handled by one more militant handler Fayaz Geelani of Budgam presently based in POK."

"The arrested group in addition to providing logistic support, arms and ammunition, and other facilities for the commission of militant activities was also tasked to select targets for militants in the valley and also radicalize more youth to join militant ranks," it added.

"Case FIR No. 98/2022 under relevant sections of UA(P) Act has been registered in Police Station Kralpora and investigation taken up," the statement reads, adding that "more arrests and recoveries cannot be ruled out in the case."

SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir Police on Thursday claimed to have arrested a Hizbul Mujahideen militant in south Kashmir’s Awantipora area.

As per a police statement, joint forces including soldiers from 42 Rashtriya Rifles, Jammu Kashmir Police and men from 42 Battalion CRPF caught hold of a man at Chandrigam check-point and during the search, one pistol along with a pistol magazine was recovered from him.

The arrested person has been identified as Danish Mohiuddin Ganai of Dadsara Awantipora.

Police said that during questioning, Danish confessed that he works for the militant outfit Hizb and was active since last week.

An FIR (No. 221/22) has been registered at Police Station Awantipora and an investigation is underway, police said.

KULGAM — A militant of Hizbul Mujahideen was killed in an overnight encounter at Khandipora area of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Saturday, Jammu and Kashmir Police said.

An official told the news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that during the exchange of fire, one militant affiliated with Hizbul Mujahideen has been killed while the gunfight is underway in the area.

Earlier, an encounter broke out between government forces and militants after a joint team of the forces launched a search operation in the area.