Srinagar, Jan 27: The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Saturday busted a major cross-border terror module in Karnah area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara and apprehended five terror associates of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) involved in arms and ammunition smuggling.
Senior Superintendent of Police, Kupwara, Yougal Manhas told Rising Kashmir that acting on credible information from own sources and corroborated by other sister agencies and counterparts Kupwara Police along with 09PARA Field Regiment.
“We have busted a terror module involved in smuggling of various arms and ammunition sent by two POK based LeT terrorist handlers namely Manzoor Ahmad Sheikh alias Shakoor S/o Wali Mohammad Sheikh R/o Gabra Karnah and Qazi Mohammad Khushal S/o Qazi Syed Yaseen R/o Dhanni Karnah both at present operating from across the border,” he said.
SSP Kupwara said following that one terror associate, Zahoor Ahmad Bhat S/o Noor Hussain Bhat R/o Rear Sudhpora Karnah from whom so far various incriminating materials li AK Rifle, 1 Magazine, 20 AK Rounds, 02 Pistols and 02 Pistol Magazines.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that in the recent past the two handlers from across were in touch with the said Zahoor who hails from a village which is in proximity with LoC by various means,” he said.
SSP Kupwara Manas said that the consignments dispatched to this side from across were thereafter delivered to other terror associates who were in contact with Zahoor Ahmad Bhat and the said handlers as well.
“Based on the further leads, four more terror associates namely Khursheed Ahmad Rather S/o Lt. Mohd Yousuf Rather R/o Gabra, Karnah; Mudassir Shafiq S/o Shafiq Ahmad R/o Gabra, Karnah; Ghulam Sarwar Rather S/o Mohd Yousuf Rather R/o Gabra Karnah and Qazi Fazal Illahi S/o Qazi Mohammad Anwar have also been arrested,” he said.
Meanwhile Police recovered arms and ammunition and other incriminating material recovered from them including, AK Rifle (Short) 05 No, AK Magazines 05 No, and Short AK Rounds 16 Nos.
“The case is being investigated expeditiously in a comprehensive manner to further unearth the conspiracy regarding the smuggling of arms and ammunition and proscribed material,” he added.
Earlier in August 2023, security forces comprising Baramulla Police and the Army’s 16 SIKHLI busted two cross-border terror modules operating in the Uri region of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
The separate operations which took place in the Churunda and Powarian Thajal areas, resulted in the arrest of eight terrorist associates affiliated with the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) outfit. Police said that arms, ammunition, and incriminating evidence were also recovered during the operations.
