Four OGWs of LeT arrested in Bandipora: Police

SRINAGAR — Security forces have arrested four suspected Over Ground Workers (OGWs) of Lashkar-e-Taiba in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district, police sources said.

Police said the arrests were made on Wednesday in two separate operations.

The police said they received credible information that some OGWs affiliated with LeT had hatched a criminal conspiracy on the directions of their handlers and were seeking a chance to attack police, security forces and non-locals.

“Acting on this information, Bandipora Police launched a manhunt, and special nakas were placed at different places in the district,” police said.

They said a naka was established by joint forces at Kanipora Naidkhai Sumbal, and during checking, two persons identified as Mohammad Rafiq Khanday of Khanday Mohalla Watalpira, Banyarai, and Mukhtar Ahmad Dar of Bunpora Mohalla S K Bala were apprehended.

“During the search, two Chinese hand grenades, one 7.62 mm magazine and 30 rounds of 7.62 mm were recovered from their possession,” police said.

The forces established another joint naka at Sadunara Ajas, and during checking, two suspects identified as Rayees Ahmad Dar of Saderkoot Bala and Mohammad Shafi Dar of Banyari were apprehended, and during the search, illegal arms and ammunition were recovered, police said.

The recovery included a Chinese hand grenade, a 7.62 mm magazine and 30 rounds of 7.62 mm.

Police have registered two separate cases under relevant sections of UAPA in Police Station Sumbal, and further investigation has been taken up.

“During questioning, the arrested terrorist associates admitted to being the OGWs of banned terrorist outfit LeT and were tasked to target police/SF and non-locals in Ajas, Naidkhai, Sumbal and adjacent areas,” police said.