Arms, ammunition recovered in Kupwara
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Aug 18: Security forces today busted a Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) module in Baramulla district by arresting eight militant-associates involved in cross-border smuggling of arms and ammunition at the behest of their Pakistani handlers.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Amod Nagpure told reporters in Baramulla that the module was busted in Uri in Baramulla and eight LeT associates were arrested.
The SSP said that during patrolling and area domination at Churunda in Uri area along the LoC on August 8, security forces noticed a suspected person who was roaming in the area.
He tried to flee while noticing the patrolling party, but was apprehended tactfully. “During his personal search, two grenades were recovered and he was taken into custody immediately,” he said.
He identified him as Showkat Ali Awan, a resident of Churunda Uri.
During further questioning, Awan revealed the names of his accomplices as Ahmad Din and Mohammad Sadeeq Khatana, both residents of Churunda.
On their disclosure, two grenades, a Chinese pistol, a pistol magazine and four live rounds were recovered from them.
He said that during another naka checking at Powarian Thajal Uri on Aug 11,security forces signalled a vehicle to stop. “As the vehicle stopped, its driver and four other persons inside it told the naka party that they were going to a hospital due to certain medical emergencies,” he said.
However, the naka party felt suspicious about them and started a search of the vehicle. “During the search, four hand grenades, two pistols, two pistol magazines, 10 live bullets and Rs 50,000 in cash were recovered,” he said.
He said all the five persons identified as Akhter Bhat of Tarzoo Sopore, Mohammad Aslam Khatana of Churunda Uri, Muneer Ahmad of Jabla Uri, Mudasir Yousuf Gokno of Krankshivan and Bilal Ahmad Dar of Hardushiva were arrested.
“The accused are involved in cross-border smuggling of arms and ammunition at the behest of Pakistan-based terror handlers and its further distribution to LeT terrorists for carrying out terror activities,” the SSP said.
Colonel Kuldeep Singh Shekhawat of 16 Sikh Li said that only war like stores were recovered from the module and no narcotics were recovered.
In the meantime, security forces today recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition including five AK rifles close to the LoC in Kupwara district.
The recoveries were made by a joint team of Army, Border Security Force and Police during a search operation that is still underway in Machil sector of the frontier district.
Srinagar based Defence spokesman Lt Col M K Sahu said that based on concrete intelligence inputs by agencies on attempts by terrorists to induct war like stores into Kashmir from across the LoC, a joint operation was launched from August 15 to 18 in Machil.
“During the search operations, huge cache of arms and ammunition were recovered at around 1100 hours today which include five AK series rifles, eight AK magazines, seven 9mm pistols, fifteen 9mm pistol magazines, four hand grenades, 7.62 mm AK rounds, 7.62 mm AP rounds and 9 mm rounds and other incriminating material,” the spokesman said.
He said the recovery of such a large cache of arms and ammunition is a huge setback to the nefarious designs of terrorist organisations to disrupt peace and tranquility in Kashmir.
“Security forces in complete synergy are always combat ready and are committed to keep the Valley safe and secure,” he added.
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