4 militants, 3 OGWs arrested, huge cache of arms recovered in Kupwara

Srinagar: Security forces on Friday busted a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) module by arresting four militants and three Over Ground Workers (OGWs) along with huge cache of arms and ammunition at Handwara in border district of Kupwara.

A police official said that following specific information, security forces raided several areas in Kupwara late on Thursday night. "During the raid, three OGWs, including Azad Ahmad Bhat, Abdul Razak and Irshad Ahmad, were arrested and arms and ammunition were recovered," he said, adding letter pads of proscribed militant outfit LeT were recovered from them.  

He said during questioning it came to surface that all the persons were working with LeT and were motivating the youth of the area by providing them arms and ammunitions to join militancy. "The trio further disclosed that they have provided arms and ammunitions to some youth who joined militant ranks recently and are operating in Handwara," he said.

The official said police along with 21RR, 30 RR and 92 battalion CRPF launched a joint search operation in village Gund Chogal on Friday. "During the search operation, four LeT militants were arrested.

"Arms and ammunition, including three AK-47, eight AK 47 Magzines, 332 AK rounds, 12 Hand Grenades, three Pistol, six Pistol Magzines, 24 Pistol Rounds and letter pad of LeT were recovered from them," he said.

He said the arrested militants have been identified as Parvaiz Ahmad Chopan, a resident of Shartpora Langate, Mudasir Ahmad Pandith, a resident of Zargar Mohalla Langate,Mohammad Rafi Sheikh, a resident of Eidgah Mohallla Langate and Burhan Mushtaq Wani, a resident of Tulwari Langate.

"Police has registered a case and initiated investigation," he said, adding more arrests are expected in the coming days.(UNI)