Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Apr 21: In a major breakthrough police last night arrested Divisional Commander of Hizbul Mujahideen south Kashmir who was involved in large number of militant activities in south Kashmir and was mastermind behind last month’s IED blast in Bijbehara, Anantnag.
Police identified him as Latif Ahmed Dar alias Massod Saini and arrested him from Litter area of district Pulwama and recovered arms and ammunition from his possession.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Pulwama, Amit Kumar, said that an AK-47 rifle, 3 AK magazines, one pistol, one grenade, more than 100 kilogrammes of RDX, over 1100 PCBs, circuit wires, chargers and triggers were recovered from his possession.
The SP said that the militant commander was mastermind behind the attacks in south Kashmir. He said that the commander was supplying IED material to the militants for making IEDs.
Inspector General of Police (IGP), S M Sahai, described his arrest as a major breakthrough against militancy in south Kashmir where he was operating for past over 4 years.
While giving details the IGP said that on specific information about movement of militants in Litter area in district Pulwama was received by Police Component Litter last night.
The IGP said that at 8 p.m., a naka was established on Main Road at Ladermad, Pulwama, soon after the information was received. “At about 8:30 p.m. one Alto Car bearing registration No. JK03A/3804 which was coming from village Kulpora, Pulwama, was intercepted by the police Party and the passengers inside the vehicle were asked to come down”, he added.
The IGP said that the driver of the vehicle, Sajad Ahmed Bhat son of Abdul Rashid resident of Ladermad came down while as the other one made an attempt to escape from the scene.
He said that the police party made a courageous effort and nabbed him on the main road. He identified the militant as Latif Ahmed Dar alias Massod Saini as divisional commander of Hizbul Mujahideen son of Ghulam Hassan Dar of Panjgam Pulwama.
The IGP Kashmir said that the divisional commander was active in the south Kashmir since 2008 and was involved in many militancy related incidents especially in recent IED blast which took place at Bijbehara last month. A case in this blast is registered (FIR No. 79/2012 U/S 420, 120 B, 307, 305 RPC, 3 PSS Act) in Police Station Bijbehara.
The IGP said that the militant was also involved in the killing of one released militant Showkat Ahmed Rather son of Mohammad Abdullah resident of Gravgund as well as threatening to Panchs and Sarpanchs of the area.
“During questioning, the militant commander confessed about plans of IED blasts also. On his instance, more than 100 Kgs of RDX and detonators were recovered at village Gulzarpora Awantipora”, the IGP added.
The Hizbul Mujahideen is the second largest militant outfit operating in south Kashmir after Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT). According to reports there are around 15 active militants of HM operating in the area. However, HM and LeT are operating jointly in south Kashmir.
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