Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 24:Security forces today foiled an attempt by Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militant outfit to carry out attacks on the occasion of Republic Day by arresting a LeT militant along with arms and ammunition.
A senior security official said that as per information received today regarding movement of a militant towards Central Kashmir district of Budgam for carrying out attack on security forces on the eve of Republic Day celebrations, security forces launched an operation to apprehend him.
Police, Army’s 53 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and 178 battalion of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) launched searches in the evening in the orchards of village Qasermulla Chadoora in district Budgam.
The official said that at about 6.30 pm during the search operation a suspect who was carrying a bag, was challenged, when he started running towards orchard area and was chased.
“This suspect person was apprehended by the security forces and on searching his bag one AK-47 with two magazines, 60 rounds and one grenade were recovered”, said, the official.
The official identified the militant as Basharat Ahmad Shah alias Furkan of LeT resident of Nillora, Litter in South Kashmir district of Pulwama. “He was a close accomplice of Wasim Hef alias Osama and Majid Zargar alias Talha of LeT.
The official said that he was planning attacks on the occasion of Republic Day and security forces prevented the LeT strike ahead of Republic Day celebrations.
It may be mentioned here that two days ago security forces foiled a major bid by Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (HuM) in Sopore area of North Kashmir to carry out attacks on the occasion of Republic Day. Five militants of the outfit who were planning attacks on VIPs and security forces were arrested.
Security across Kashmir has been intensified ahead of Republic Day to prevent any militant strikes on the occasion. Security forces have established nakas and were carrying out raids at several places against suspected militants.
In Srinagar, security forces have taken positions on high rise buildings around Bakshi Stadium, the main venue of the Republic Day celebrations. They were conducting round the clock patrols in Srinagar to prevent any attacks on the occasion of the celebrations.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
