26 September, Baramulla (KNO): Jammu and Kashmir police claim to have apprehended one Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorist and five other terrorists, including two women. One of the detained individuals is also a juvenile.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Baramulla Amog Nagpure announced at a press conference in Baramulla that police have apprehended an active LeT terrorist and five terrorist associates in Baramulla and recovered a large quantity of arms and ammunition, including grenades and pistols, from them.
“The procedure of detention began after two suspects were detained in September in Uri. “Among the five terror associates arrested are two women and a minor,” he said, as reported by the Kashmir News Observer (KNO).
The SSP stated that on September 21, police in Baramulla learned from reliable sources that Yaseen Ahmad Shah, son of Tariq Ahmad, a resident of Janbazpora, Baramulla, had left his home and joined the outlawed terrorist organisation LeT/TRF. “As a result, a criminal complaint was filed at Police Station Baramulla, and an investigation was initiated. “On the basis of human and technical intelligence, a joint team of Baramulla Police, Army, and CAPF apprehended the terrorist on September 22, 2023, during MVCP checking at Tapper Pattan,” he said, adding that incriminating materials, arms, and ammunition, including 1 pistol, 1 pistol magazine, and 8 live rounds, were recovered from his possession.
“During interrogation, he identified his other associate as Parvaiz Ahmad Shah, son of Ali Mohd, a resident of Takiya Wagoora. Consequently, the Baramulla Police, Army, and CAPF conducted a search of his residence and subsequently arrested him. “Upon his disclosure, two hand grenades were also recovered from his possession,” the SSP said, adding that “on September 23, 2023, during further interrogation of terrorist Mohd Yaseen Shah, and upon his disclosure, one pistol, one pistol magazine, and eight live rounds were also recovered from his house in Janbazpora.”
The SSP added that he divulged the identities of his associates, Nigeena W/O Manzoor Ahmad Lone R/O Vijipora Hajin and Aafreena alias Aayat D/O Gulzar Ahmad Ganie R/O Patpora Shalteng Srinagar, and two hand grenades were recovered from their possession. “On September 25, 2023, during questioning of terrorists Yaseen Ahmad Shah and Parvaiz Ahmad Shah, they disclosed the names of two more associates as Mudasir Ahmad Rather, S/O Gh Mohiuddin Rather, and Showkat Ahmad Malik, S/O Habibullah Malik. Upon their disclosure, one Chinese grenade, one pistol, one pistol magazine, and eight live rounds were recovered from their possession. “Investigation has revealed that this terrorist along with his five accomplices were acting on the instructions of Pakistan-based handlers and were planning to recruit more terrorists and carry out terrorist activities in Baramulla and nearby areas,” he said, adding that the case under sections of the UA (P) and Arms Act has been registered at Police Station Baramulla and the investigation is ongoing.
Earlier, on September 14, during a joint naka check at Paranpeelan Bridge Uri, police spotted two suspects coming from Dachi towards Paranpeelan Bridge who attempted to escape upon seeing the naka party but were apprehended with discretion.
“During their personal search, 2 Glock Pistols, 4 Pistol Magazines, 2 Pistol Silencers, 5 Chinese grenades, and 29 live Pistol rounds were taken from them and they were taken into custody immediately. They were later identified as Zaid Hassan Malla, son of Ghulam Hassan Malla, a resident of Mir Sahib Baramulla, and Muhammad Arif Channa, son of Nazir Ahmad Channa, a resident of Stadium.
“A case was registered under the Indian Arms Act and the UA (P) Act at Police Station Uri, and investigations were initiated. During the investigation, they revealed that their associate’s name is Aftaar Ahmad Lohar, S/O Mohd Maqbool Lohar, R/O Surankote Poonch; he was subsequently detained in this case,’ he said.
When asked if the involvement of females and minors in terror networks posed a challenge, the SSP responded that it was not the first time, as many females and minors had been detained for terror ties in the past. “In this instance, we’ve observed an arms trafficking ring running from Kashmir to Poonch. We are monitoring the linkages and routes used to transport weaponry. Arrests are likely to increase. This is an attempt to destabilise the region’s tranquilly, he said, adding that the juvenile will be prosecuted by the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) under the Juvenile Justice Act (JJA)—KNO.
