‘Cross-border terror module busted, 5 LeT associates arrested’

Kupwara, Jan 27: A cross-border terror module involved in the smuggling of arms and ammunition was busted while five terrorist associates were arrested in border town Karnah in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, Police said Saturday.

Addressing a news conference at JIC Kupwara, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Kupwara, Yougal Manhas said that acting on credible information, Police along with 9 Para Field Regiment busted the module involved in smuggling of various arms and ammunition sent by two PoK based LeT terrorist handlers Manzoor Ahmad Sheikh and Qazi Muhammad Khushal, both, at present, operating from across the border.

The SSP said that following the information, Zahoor Ahmad Bhat was arrested while incriminating materials including an AK rifle, an AK magazine, 20 AK rounds, two pistols, and two pistol magazines were recovered from his possession.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that in the recent past two handlers from across were in touch with Zahoor Ahmad Bhat, son of Noor Hussain Bhat of Rear Sudhpora, Karnah. The consignments dispatched to this side from across were delivered to other terror associates who were in contact with Zahoor Ahmad Bhat and the handlers as well,” Manhas said.

He said that based on further leads, four more terror associates Khursheed Ahmad Rather, son of late Muhammad Yousuf Rather; Mudasir Shafiq, son of Shafiq Ahmad; Ghulam Sarwar Rather, son of Muhammad Yousuf Rather of Gabra Karnah; and Qazi Fazal Illahi, son of Qazi Muhammad Anwar have also been arrested.

Arms and ammunition and other incriminating material recovered from them include five short AK rifles, five AK magazines, and 16 short AK rounds. The SSP said that more arrests could not be ruled out in the case.