2 Al-Badr terrorists, 3 aides held in Handwara

Five Al-Badr associates, including two active terrorists, were arrested with arms and ammunition in Handwara on Tuesday.

The arrested militants Saleem Yousuf Rather and Ikhlaq Ahmad Sheikh of Watergam and their three associates Mohammad Yaseen Rather, Showkat Ahmad Ganie and Ghulam Nabi Rather, all residents of Kachloo Qaziabad village, were planning to attack security force’s installations and panchayat members, police said.

A police spokesperson said, “Acting on specific information regarding movement of militants on the Baramulla-Handwara highway, the Jammu and Kashmir Police, 32 Rashtriya Rifles ( RR) and 92 Battalion established a checkpoint near Kachloo crossing.

3 aides tried to escape from check point

“During checking, three people riding a motorcycle in a suspicious manner tried to escape from the spot but were apprehended by the joint party. Incriminating material, arms and ammunitions were recovered from them. Preliminary investigation revealed that the trio were working for the terror outfit Al-Badr and were providing logistic support, food and shelter to the active terrorists. They were also helping to establish a terrorist associate network for the outfit, including identifying safe routes for their movement,” the spokesperson said.

POLICE SAY ARRESTED MEN WERE PLANNING TO ATTACK SECURITY FORCE’S INSTALLATIONS, PANCHAYAT MEMBERS

Recently- inducted militants held

“The arrested trio said two other people known to them had recently joined terrorist ranks and were operating in Handwara area. The local police along with the 21RR launched a cordon and search operation in the forest area of Baderkali. During the search operation, both the terrorists along with arms and ammunitions were arrested.”

“Investigation revealed the duo had joined terrorist ranks recently and were planning to attack security force’s installations, panchs, sarpanchs and others,” the spokesperson said.