Consignment was dropped by drones
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 8: Three each Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and sticky bombs, part of a consignment dropped by drones from across the border, were recovered from a terror hideout at village Malhar in Billawar tehsil of Kathua district today.
The recovery was made on the disclosure of a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) militant, who was arrested from Kathua on October 2, Additional Director General of Police, Jammu zone, Mukesh Singh said.
SSP Kathua Romesh Kotwal told a press conference that the militant identified as Zakir Hussain Bhat alias Umar Farooq of Billawar village was in multiple contacts with JeM operating from Pakistan through different social media apps and had received a consignment of IEDs and sticky bombs to carry out attacks in the Jammu region.
“He was earlier convicted in a case and was lodged in Kot Bhalwal jail for 14 years and was released in 2019. He had developed relations with JeM militant Fareed who had returned to his country, Pakistan after serving his jail term in J&K,” the police said,
He was planning to revive militant activities in his area by roping in other old militants at the behest of Pakistan-based commanders, they added.
A police official said the latest recovery was made from the Malhar village of Kathua and the search operation was underway at the time the last reports were received.
“An operation was launched on the disclosure of the arrested militant and a total of six explosive devices – three each IEDs and three sticky bombs – were recovered so far,” he said.
Earlier, a sticky bomb was recovered from Bhat at the time of his arrest along with Rs 20,000 cash.
SSP Kathua Romesh Kotwal said at the press conference that a major tragedy has been averted with timely recoveries of IEDs and sticky bombs as the militants planned to use them ahead of festive season at crowded places.
He said the recoveries were made following disclosures made by Zakir Hussain Bhat during his questioning in police custody.
“Interrogation of Bhat is still on and more disclosures as well as arrests of militants, Over Ground Workers etc can’t be ruled out,” Kotwal said.
The militants at the behest of some commanders of Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Toiba sitting in Pakistan are trying to revive militancy in peaceful districts using former militants and some Over Ground Workers.
However, due to alertness displayed by the police, most of such attempts have been foiled.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
