Terror module busted in Bandipora: Police

Srinagar, Aug 26: Security forces have busted a terror module in Bandipora district with the arrest of two people, including the wife of a slain terrorist, police said on Saturday.
According to a police statement, on August 25, the joint party established a checkpoint in the Dardgund area, within the jurisdiction of PS Pethkoot, based on specific intelligence provided by the J&K police regarding the movement of a hybrid terrorist.
The spokesman said a suspicious person attempted to flee upon noticing the joint party but was apprehended. Upon searching him, authorities recovered one pistol, one pistol magazine, 8 rounds, and other incriminating materials. The arrested person has been identified as ShafayatZubair Rishi from NesbalSumbal.
The police spokesperson added that during interrogation, the accused revealed his intention to collect a cache of arms and ammunition from Munira Begum, the wife of the deceased terrorist and area commander YousufChoupan, in the Pazalpora area. Notably, the accused had been in contact with Mushtaq Ahmad Mir, a Pakistan-based terror handler who had been exfiltrated to Pakistan in 1999. Mir had been involved in reviving terrorist activities in the district.
The accused had also participated in the 2000 Kothibagh IED blast, which resulted in the death of 14 individuals, including 12 police personnel. He had affiliations with the proscribed terror outfit HizbulMujahideen and later with the terrorist outfit Al-Badr. ShafayatZubair Rishi was also implicated in the 2009 burning of an Army vehicle in Sumbal, and he is currently out on bail for that case. Furthermore, acting on the information provided by Munira Begum, a cache of arms and ammunition, including 1 Krinkov AK-47 rifle, 3 magazines, 90 rounds, and 1 pen pistol intended for ShafayatReshi, was discovered in a nearby forest area. It was revealed during the interrogation that Munira had also travelled to Pakistan twice.
Moreover, Shafayat Rishi confessed to being on the brink of receiving 47 lakhs for the revival of terrorists. Subsequently, this money was intended to be transferred to an individual as per the requirements and directives of his overseer, Mushtaq Ah Mir. A case has been registered under relevant sections of the law, and further investigation is currently underway, as per the statement.