Two Al-Badr militants, three associates held in Handwara: Police

HANDWARA — Handwara Police on Wednesday claimed to have arrested two militants, three associates of Al-Badr outfit and recovered arms and ammunition from their possession.

Police, in a statement, said, “On the basis of specific information regarding the movement of militants, Handwara Police along with 32 RR and 92 Bn CRPF established a Naka at Kachloo crossing on Baramulla Handwara Highway. During search/checking, three persons riding a motorcycle were found in suspicious condition who, on seeing the search party, tried to escape from the spot but were apprehended by the search party.”

It said, “The apprehended persons on preliminary questioning disclosed their identity as Mohd Yaseen Rather son of Mohd Akbar, Showkat Ahmad Ganie son of Sonaulla Ganie and Gh Nabi Rather son of Wali Mohammad, all residents of village Kachloo Qaziabad.”

“On their personal search, arms, ammunition and letter-pad of militant outfit Al-Badr were recovered from their possession,” reads the statement.

“During further questioning, it came to surface that the trio are working with militant outfit Al-Badar as OGWs and are providing logistic support, food and shelter to the said militant outfit. They were also helping to create an OGW network for militant outfits and were identifying safe routes for their movement,” said the statement.

“In this context, case FIR No. 20/2021 U/S 7/25 I.A. Act, 13, 18, 25, 39 ULAP Act has been registered at Police Station Kralgund and further investigation has been set into motion,” police said.

The statement further said, “During investigation, the arrested persons disclosed that two other persons known to them have recently joined the militant ranks and are operating in the Handwara area. Accordingly, Handwara Police along with 21 RR launched a cordon and search operation in the forest area of Baderkali.”

“During the search operation, two persons along with arms and ammunition have been arrested. They have been identified as Saleem Yousuf Rather son of Mohd Yousuf Rather and Iqhlaq Ahmad Sheikh son of Imtiyaz Ahmad, both residents of Watergam,” it said.

“The duo have joined militant ranks recently and were planning to attack security forces’ installations, Panchs, Sarpanchs and other peace loving people to create violence in the area. They have been arrested in the instant case and further investigation is going on,” the statement reads.