The Kashmir Pulse

KULGAM — The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) Kulgam has filed a chargesheet before the Hon’ble Court of Special Judge, designated under the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Kulgam, against four accused militants, including three deceased militants and one active militant.

According to a statement issued by the police, the chargesheet pertains to case FIR number 65/2022 lodged at Police Station Kulgam. The accused militants have been identified as Jan Mohammad Lone, Bilal Ahmad Bhat, Sameer Ahmad Sheikh alias Kamran Bhai, and Abid Ramzan Sheikh.

The chargesheet alleges that on June 2, 2022, the aforementioned militants, affiliated with proscribed organizations such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), The Resistance Front (TRF), and Al-Badr, conspired to fatally shoot Vijay Kumar, the Branch Manager of Ellaqhai Dehati Bank in Arreh Kulgam. Kumar, a resident of Bagwa Rajasthan, fell victim to their illegal weapons.

Following due legal procedures, the SIU Kulgam submitted the chargesheet before the NIA-designated court under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Arms Act, and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

The document seeks cognizance against the deceased militants, Jan Mohammad Lone, Bilal Ahmad Bhat, and Sameer Ahmad Sheikh, for their alleged roles in abetting the crime. Additionally, the chargesheet invokes Section 299 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) against the active militant, Abid Ramzan Sheikh.

The police further informed that investigations are ongoing regarding the involvement of another accused, Arjumand Gulzar alias Hamza Burhan, an active militant associated with the proscribed terror outfit Al-Badr.

Gulzar, a resident of Kharbatpora Ratnipora Pulwama, remains at large. Authorities plan to submit a supplementary report concerning his involvement as per the provisions of Section 173(8) of the CrPC.

Further updates on the investigation are awaited as the legal proceedings progress.

SRINAGAR — The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) Pulwama made a significant stride on Monday as it lodged a chargesheet against three militants and a militant associate.

According to reports, a spokesperson for the SIU Pulwama disclosed that the chargesheet was filed in connection with case FIR No. 260/2023 registered at Police Station Pulwama. The chargesheet, framed under sections 18, 20, 38, 39, and 40 of the UAPA Act, implicates three militants and one militant associate.

Identified as Ehsan Ul Haq Sheikh, Owais Feroz Mir, and Abrar-ul-Islam, the militants hail from various locations including Murran Pulwama, Frestabal Pampore (presently in PoK), and Pakistan respectively. Additionally, Ishtiyaq Nazir Dar, a militant associate from Ashmander Pulwama, currently in custody, has also been named in the chargesheet.

Furthermore, the SIU spokesperson highlighted that a chargesheet against another accused, Abbas Majeed Parray, had been previously submitted before the Hon’ble JJB Court Pulwama on 27/12/2023, indicating continued efforts in legal proceedings related to the case.

SRINAGAR — Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order), Vijay Kumar, revealed on Tuesday that there are currently only 25 local militants operating in the valley. Notably, Srinagar, the summer capital, has only one local militant, Momim, remaining active.

Speaking at the Police Control Room, ADGP Vijay Kumar, according to a local news agency, stressed the significant reduction in the number of militants in Kashmir, now totalling 25.

Kumar elaborated that while approximately 20-25 foreign militants still lurk in forested areas of the valley, the overall militant presence has dwindled.

This announcement follows the recent apprehension of militant Abid Manzoor Langoo, the main accused involved in the killing of two Punjab workers, in a Srinagar attack.

SRINAGAR — The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday conducted raids at five locations in south Kashmir in a conspiracy case.

According to a statement issued to the news agency KNO, the raids were carried out in Shopian, Awantipora and Pulwama on the premises of "hybrid terrorists and OGWs of the outfits and affiliates of Pakistan-backed banned terrorist organizations".

The statement reads that the NIA also raided the premises of sympathizers and cadres of the newly floated outfits, namely The Resistance Front (TRF), United Liberation Front Jammu & Kashmir (ULF J&K), Mujahideen Gazwat-ul-Hind (MGH), Jammu & Kashmir Freedom Fighters (JKFF), Kashmir Tigers, PAAF and others.

“These outfits are affiliated to various banned Pak-backed organizations like Laskhar-e-Toiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM), Al-Badr, Al-Qaeda, etc. Several digital devices containing large volumes of incriminating data were recovered by NIA during today’s searches, which have once again put the spotlight on OGWs as an important part of the terror ecosystem in the Valley, which is being dismantled on a continuous basis. Also known as hybrid terrorists, they provide support to militants and terrorists based in Pakistan,” the statement added.

It added that the NIA had registered a suo moto case (RC-05/2022/NIA/JMU) on June 21, 2022 to investigate the "involvement of the cadres and OGWs of the various outfits in spreading activities relating to terror, violence and subversion in J&K."

“These cadres and workers have been involved in the collection and distribution of sticky bombs/magnetic bombs, IEDs, funds, narcotic substances and arms/ammunitions,” it said.

It further reads that the NIA investigations have revealed that Pak-based operatives were using social media platforms to promote terror.

“Drones were being used by them to deliver arms/ammunition, explosives, narcotics etc. to their operatives and cadres in the Kashmir valley. The terror conspiracy relates to plotting by the banned outfits in both physical and cyberspace to unleash violent terrorist attacks in J&K with sticky bombs, IEDs and small arms etc.,” it stated.

As per the statement, "the organizations, supported by their masters in Pakistan, have been conspiring to commit acts of terror and violence, by radicalizing local youth and mobilizing overground workers, to disturb the peace and communal harmony in J&K".

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 — 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.”

SRINAGAR — Special Investigation Unit Srinagar on Monday attached four residential houses in Srinagar for providing shelter to militants.

According to a statement issued to the news agency KNO, three houses are located at Barthana Qamarwari and one at Sangam Eidgah area of Srinagar.

The statement reads the residential houses belonged to Shaheena, Altaf Ahmed Dar, Mudasir Ahmed Mir and Abdul Rehman Bhat and were attached in presence of Executive Magistrates and other witnesses.

“The team on spot directed the concerned that there should be no alteration or otherwise to the attached properties without the prior permission of the designated authority,” it reads.

It reads that Police Station Parimpora on 28-05-2022 had received reliable information and registered a case under FIR No. 127/2022 u/s 153-A, 153-B, 505 IPC, and in its continued investigation, a module was found involved in hiding and providing logistical support to active militants of TRF/LeT outfit.

“Also, during the investigation, it was found that the militants had been sheltered in these residential houses. During the investigation, proceeding U/S 24/25 UA(P) Act was initiated. Later, the proper accord of approval for attachment of houses was received,” it said.

It added chargesheet of the case was presented before the court u/s 7/25 Arms Act and 13, 16, 18, 19, 20, 38 & 39 UA(P) Act on December 2, 2022, against 13 accused persons including active militants of TRF/LeT for the logical judicial determination.

“The investigation of the case is still going on u/s 173(8). Citizens are again requested not to provide shelter or logistics to militants failing which law will take its own course,” it reads.

KULGAM — Security forces on Saturday averted a major tragedy by detecting and subsequently diffusing two IEDs planted by militants in Frisal area of Kulgam district.

Kashmir Police Zone in a tweet said that Kulgam Police along with 1 RR of the Indian Army averted a major tragedy by detecting and subsequently diffusing two IEDs (a timer and another sticky) planted by militants in Frisal area of Kulgam district.

"Area has been cordoned off and searches are going on. Further details shall follow," it said.

KULGAM — Security forces on Saturday averted a major tragedy by detecting and subsequently diffusing two IEDs planted by militants in Frisal area of Kulgam district.

Kashmir Police Zone in a tweet said that Kulgam Police along with 1 RR of the Indian Army averted a major tragedy by detecting and subsequently diffusing two IEDs (a timer and another sticky) planted by militants in Frisal area of Kulgam district.

"Area has been cordoned off and searches are going on. Further details shall follow," it said.

BANDIPORA — Bandipora Police on Saturday claimed to have solved the case related to a migrant labourer’s killing by arresting three militants in Sadunara area of Hajin in northern district of Kashmir.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Bandipora, Mohammad Zahid while addressing a press conference, as per the news agency KNO said that on the intervening night of 11-12 August, a migrant labourer identified as Amrez Masoori of Bihar was shot dead by some unknown militants in Sadunara following which a formal case was registered and an investigation was set into motion.

He said that during the course of the investigation, various suspects were called and questioned and technical assistance was also brought into use.

“Eventually it was found that three local militants identified as Waseem Akram, Yawar Reyaz and Muzamil Sheikh—all residents of Sadunara were in touch with a LeT handler Baber, who is operating from Pakistan,” he said.

He added that Baber had instructed them to kill any non-local labourer to ‘terrorize’ them in order to leave the Valley and carry out more such strikes in future to revive local militancy in Bandipora.

He further said that during the investigation, the weapon of offence including one pistol along with a magazine and four live rounds, which were concealed by them, was also recovered.

“So far Bandipora Police along with security forces have been successful in eliminating three militants including one local and foreigner,” he said, adding that nine hybrid militants have also been arrested so far and six OGW modules have been busted in the district.

Arms, ammo recovered in Uri: Police

Jammu and Kashmir Police on Saturday claimed to have recovered arms and ammunition in Hathlanga area of Uri in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

A police spokesman in a statement issued to the news agency KNO said that on a specific input regarding the presence of arms and ammunition in Hathlanga area of Uri, a joint party of Police and Army (3rd Rajput) launched a search operation in the wee hours near Hathlanga area of Uri.

During the search, arms and ammunition including one AK-47 Rifle, one AK Magazine and 28 rounds of AK-47 were recovered from the said area, police said.

In this regard, a case under relevant sections of law has been registered in Police Station Uri and further investigation has been initiated, police said.

SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir Police on Saturday claimed to have cracked the grenade lobbing incident on a minority community in Gopalpora area of Budgam district by arresting two hybrid militants of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

Kashmir Zone Police on its official Twitter handle, as per the news agency KNO, informed that the vehicle used by militants has also been seized. The arrested militants have been identified as Sahil Wani and Altaf Farooq alias Amir.

“Budgam Police cracked grenade lobbing incident on minority at Gopalpora on 15/8/22 in which 1 person from minority was seriously injured. 2 Hybrid terrorists of LeT namely Sahil Wani & Altaf Farooq @ Amir arrested. Vehicle used by terrorists also seized. Investigation going on,” police tweeted.

Recycled militant from Baramulla held in Bandipora: Police

Jammu and Kashmir Police also claimed to have arrested a recycled militant in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district along with arms and ammunition.

Kashmir Zone Police, as per the news agency KNO, on its official Twitter handle informed that a recycled militant from Baramulla was arrested by a joint team of police and the Army in Bandipora.

Police said that incriminating materials including arms and ammunition have also been recovered from his possession.

The arrested militant has been identified as Imtiyaz Ahmad Beigh alias Ina Bhai of Beigh Mohalla Baramulla.

“Bandipora police & Army arrested 1 recycled terrorist namely Imtiyaz Ah Beigh @ Ina Bhai S/O Abdul Nawab Beigh R/O Beigh Mohalla Fatehpora, Baramulla. Incriminating materials, arms & ammn including 1 AK 47 rifle, 2 AK magazines & 59 AK rounds recovered. Investigation in progress,” police tweeted.

SRINAGAR — Police on Wednesday initiated the process of attaching the house of a militant following recovery of arms and ammunition in Shopian district of south Kashmir, while his father and three brothers were arrested for harbouring him.

Additional Director General of Police Kashmir Vijay Kumar confirmed that the house belonging to one Adil Wani is being attached under relevant sections of law.

On Tuesday evening, the police said they zeroed in and engaged militants in Shopian’s Kutpora area but they managed to escape the cordon.

During the search operation, arms and ammunition were concealed in the upper story of the Wani’s house, prompting the authorities to place his father and three brothers under arrest besides initiating the process of attaching their house.

Earlier on Tuesday, police said a preliminary investigation suggested that a local militant, identified as Adil Ahmad Wani of Kutpora village of Shopian, was behind the killing of Sunil Kumar in an orchard of Chotigam village in Shopian.

Wani was identified by eyewitnesses and Sunil Kumar’s cousin as the person who fired indiscriminately at him and his brother while they were working in the apple orchard.

SRINAGAR — Militants on Wednesday attacked a police vehicle in Allochibagh bund area of Srinagar on Wednesday evening. There was no casualty reported in this incident, police said.

“In Allochibagh bund area of Srinagar, (militant) fired upon a vehicle bound small police party. This was effectively retaliated by the police party,” the police said in a tweet as per news agency GNS.

“(Militants) took advantage of darkness and ran away towards the built-up area. No injury or other damage took place," the police said, adding that a cordon and search operation was launched in the area.

Meanwhile, an Army trooper was injured after his colleague’s rifle went off accidentally in Frisal area of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district.

A senior police officer said that due to accidental fire, one Army soldier received injuries in his finger and was immediately shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment.

SRINAGAR — Assistant Sub Inspector of CRPF succumbed to his injuries at a hospital after militants attacked joint forces at Gangoo cross of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Sunday.

A top police officer told GNS, that ASI of 182 BN CRPF succumbed to his injuries soon after he was shifted to nearby hospital in a critical condition.

Soon after the attack whole area has been cordoned off to nab the attackers. More details emerging.

SRINAGAR — A Central Reserve Police Force personnel was injured when militants attacked joint forces at Gangoo crossing area of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Sunday.

A top police officer told GNS that militants fired upon joint team of Police and CRPF at circular road.

In this incident one CRPF trooper recieved bullet and was subsequently shifted to nearby hospital for treatment.

Soon after the attack whole area has been cordoned off to nab the attackers. More details emerging.

SRINAGAR — Three Local militants affliated with Lashkar-e-Toiba oufit were killed in an overnight gunfight in Drabgam area in south Kashmir's Pulwama district on Sunday.

In a series of tweets, quoting Inspector-General of Police Kashmir Vijay Kumar, the Kashmir Police Zone wrote, "All three killed militants are locals, linked with militant outfit LeT."

"One of them has been identified as Junaid Sheergojri, involved in killing of our colleague Martyr Reyaz Ahmad on 13/5/22," it said.

In another tweet, they wrote, "Other two killed militants have been identified as Fazil Nazir Bhat & Irfan Ah Malik of Pulwama district. Incriminating materials, arms & ammunition including 02 AK 47 rifles and 01 pistol recovered."

The gunfight had started on Saturday evening in Drabgam village after joint team of government forces launched a cordon and search operation in the area.

The 'operation' was suspended by the forces due to darkness and was resumed early morning on Sunday.

SRINAGAR — Four militants and their associates have been arrested by police in connection with a grenade blast in which an employee of a newly-opened wine shop was killed and three others were injured in Baramulla district on May 17, officials said on Thursday.

SSP Baramulla Rayees Mohammad Bhat (IPS), while talking exclusively to GNS, said that the militant module of LeT (TRF), "which not only planned the attack on the wine shop recently but was involved in multiple other attacks", was cracked with the arrest of four militants and an associate using “both human and technical resources”.

The officer said that five pistols, 23 grenades, one “suspicious package (likely IED)” besides seven magazines, 205 rounds of ammunition and four cleaning rods along with a bike used in the attack on the wine shop have been seized from their possession. The arrested militants have been identified as Shahid Ahmad, Safeer, Adil Ahmad, Faisal and Atif.

Besides the attack on the wine shop, the module was involved in grenade throwing in town and firing attacks etc over a period of time, the officer said.

The officer said that it is a major success for the police as the module was part of the "Falcon Squad of LeT (TRF)."

At around 2010 hours on May 17, militants hurled a grenade inside the newly opened wine shop at Dewan Bagh Baramulla, injuring four employees. One of them, Ranjit Singh son of Kishan Lal of Bhakri Rajouri, succumbed to injuries within an hour while three others — Govardhan Singh, Ravi Kumar, both residents of Billawar Kathua and Govind Singh of Kangra Rajouri - are under treatment.

Soon after the attack, police in a statement said that two militants riding on a bike stopped near the wine shop. Subsequently, the pillion rider “wearing a Burka” walked to the porthole of the wine shop and “dropped” a grenade inside it. “Thereafter, (they) fled away on the bike from the spot.”

SRINAGAR — A person was killed and three others injured in a grenade blast inside a newly opened wine shop at Dewan Bagh in Baramulla district on Tuesday evening.

Official sources told GNS that a militant hurled a grenade at the wine shop this evening which exploded with a bang, leaving four persons, all employees, injured.

The injured were immediately shifted to hospital and one of them — Ranjit Singh (50) from Rajouri — succumbed to the injuries.

A police officer confirmed the grenade blast and told GNS that the attacker disguised himself as a buyer. He identified three other injured persons as Goverdan Singh (35) of Kathua, Govind Singh (35) of Rajouri and Ravi Kumar (36) of Kathua.

He said that the area has been cordoned off and searches have been launched to nab the attacker(s).

“At about 2010 hours, two (militants) riding on a bike stopped near the newly opened wine shop at Dewan Bagh Baramulla. The pillion rider wearing a Burka walked to the window of the wine shop and dropped a grenade inside the wine shop through the porthole window and thereafter fled away on the bike from the spot,” the police said in a statement issued later.

He said, “In this incident, four employees of the shop received splinter injuries. All the injured were immediately shifted to a nearby hospital. However, one among the injured identified as Ranjit Singh son of Kishan Lal, resident of Bakra Rajouri succumbed to his injuries.”

One among the injured, Govind Singh, he said, has been referred to Srinagar hospital for specialised treatment.

Senior Police officers immediately reached the militant crime spot. The area has been cordoned and searches in the area are going on.

Police, he said, have registered a case in this regard under relevant sections of law and an investigation is in progress.

SRINAGAR — A government employee, who was attacked by militants this afternoon at the tehsil office in central Kashmir's Budgam district, has succumbed to his injuries.

Official sources told the news agency Kashmir Dot Com that the injured employee succumbed to his injuries at SMHS hospital.

Earlier, the deceased was identified as Rahul Bhatt, a Kashmiri Pandit, who was working in the Budgam tehsil office’s Revenue Department.

Police have taken cognizance of the incident and have launched a massive search to nab the attackers.