Security forces arrest Hizbul Mujahideen militant in Handwara, recover weapons

SRINAGAR — A joint team of security forces claimed to have arrested a Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) militant from Kachri village of Handwara on Monday. The militant was reportedly tasked with target killings in the area.

Addressing a press conference in Handwara, SSP Handwara Dawood Ayoub said that acting on specific information, a joint team of security forces, including the Army’s 30RR and Handwara Police, launched an operation during which the militant was arrested.

The militant has been identified as Zakir Hamid Mir, son of Abdul Hamid Mir and a resident of Kachri, Yaroo.

Dawood further stated that the militant was tasked with carrying out a soft killing in the area and was in touch with the Pakistan-based handler Zahoor Ahmad Mir, who directed him in these activities.

The officer also stated that a Chinese pistol and a hand grenade were recovered from his possession and that further investigation is going on.

A case has been registered under FIR number 124/2024, and further investigation continues.