18 August, Srinagar: On Friday, law enforcement and security personnel arrested eight alleged members of the banned terrorist group LeT, thereby dismantling two terror cells.
They claimed that evidence against them, such as weapons and ammunition, had been seized.
According to a police statement, one suspicious individual was seen wandering the region of Churunda Uri on August 8 by a combined squad of Baramulla Police and Army (16 SIKHLI) conducting joint patrols and area control. According to the police, he tried to run away when he saw the patrolling party, but he was skillfully arrested. “During his personal search 02 Grenades were recovered from his possession and he was taken into custody immediately,” the statement said.
Showkat Ali Awan, a native of Churunda Uri and the son of Abdul Karim Awan, was detained. Upon further interrogation, he named his coconspirators as Ahmad Din, son of Shukur Din, a resident of Churunda Uri, and Mohammad Sadeeq Khatana, son of Umer Din, also of Churunda. Two grenades, one Chinese pistol, one pistol magazine, and four live bullets were retrieved from them when they confessed, according to the statement.
Similarly, on August 11, a joint party of Baramulla Police and Army (16 SIKHLI) signalled one vehicle, a Maruti Swift with the number plate number (CHOID-9588), travelling from Thajal to Uri to stop for naka checking. The car was stopped, but the driver and the other four passengers asked that the naka party let them to go on to the hospital because of medical emergencies.
A total of four hand grenades, two pistols, two pistol magazines, ten live rounds, and fifty thousand rupees in cash were seized by the naka party, according to the statement.
The police said that all the five persons including the driver were taken into custody immediately, who were later identified as Akhter Bhat son of Niyaz Bhat resident of Tarzoo Sopore, Mohammad Aslam Khatana son of Ata Mohammad resident of Churunda Uri, Muneer Ahmad son of Mohiuddin resident of Jabla Uri, Mudasir Yousuf Gokno son of Mohammad Yousuf resident of Krankshivan & Bilal Ahmad Dar son of Gh Mohiuddin resident of Hardushiva.
“The accused persons 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 statement said.
As a result, cases have been recorded under relevant parts of legislation at Police Station Uri, and an investigation has been launched.
