- September 27, 2023
Cross-border smuggling racket: Lashkar terrorist, 5 terrorist associates arrested in Baramulla | India News – Times of India
SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Wednesday claimed to have arrested an active terrorist of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and five terrorist associates — including two women and a juvenile — from Baramulla district over their involvement in a cross-border arms smuggling racket. A huge quantity of arms and ammunition, including grenades and pistols, was seized from their possession, Baramulla SSP Amod Nagpure said at a press conference later in the day.
Investigations have revealed that the six had been operating on the directions of Pakistan-based handlers and were planning to recruit more terrorists and carry out terrorist activities in Baramulla and nearby areas, the SSP said, adding: “A case under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Arms Act stands registered at Baramulla PS and further probe is underway.”
When asked whether the involvement of women and juveniles in terror networks was a challenge, the SSP said that it wasn’t the first such case as earlier too, several women and minors had been arrested over their terror links. “In this case, we have observed that an arms supply racket runs from Kashmir to Poonch. We are tracking links and routes used for supplying arms. More arrests are likely to be made,” SSP Nagpure said, adding that the minor accused will be tried under the Juvenile Justice Act.
“The process of arrests began after two suspects were detained in September in Uri,” the SSP said. On September 21, Baramulla Police through reliable sources came to know that one individual, Yaseen Ahmad Shah, a resident of Baramulla’s Janbazpora, was missing from his home and may have joined LeT or its shadow outfit The Resistance Force. “Accordingly, a case under relevant sections was registered at Baramulla PS and an investigation was launched. Subsequently, Yaseen was apprehended by a joint team of district police, the Army, and CRPF during a vehicle checking drive at Tapper Pattan on September 22,” the SSP said.
“During questioning, Yaseen disclosed the name of his other associate Parvaiz Ahmad Shah of Takiya Wagoora, following which a joint team of the Army, Baramulla Police, and CAPF raided the latter’s residence and arrested him. Two grenades were also recovered from his possession,” the SSP said.
“Based on further disclosure by Yaseen, a pistol, one pistol magazine, and eight live rounds were seized from his Janbazpora residence along with other incriminating materials on September 23. Yaseen also disclosed the names of his other associates as Nigeena of Vijipora, Hajin, and Aafreena alias Aayat of Patpora, Shalteng in Srinagar. The duo was subsequently arrested and two hand grenades were seized,” said SSP Nagpure.
“On Monday (September 25), Yaseen and Parvaiz during questioning revealed the names of two more associates — Mudasir Ahmad Rather from Takiya Wagoora and Showkat Ahmad Malik of Wagila Wagoora — and based on their arrest and disclosure, a Chinese grenade, a pistol, one pistol magazine and eight live rounds were seized from them,” the officer added.
Earlier on September 14, a joint team of security personnel manning a check-post at Paranpeelan Bridge in Uri spotted two suspects heading from Dachi towards the bridge and tried to flee on noticing the naka party but were apprehended. “During a subsequent search, two Glock pistols, four pistol magazines, two pistol silencers, give Chinese grenades and 29 live pistol rounds were seized from the two men — Baramulla residents Zaid Hassan Malla and Muhammad Arif Channa — who were immediately taken into custody. They were involved in cross-border smuggling of arms and ammunition at the behest of Pakistan-based terror handlers and its further distribution to LeT terrorists for carrying out terror activities,” said the SSP. “A case under the Arms Act and UAPA was registered at Uri PS and investigations were launched. During interrogation, the duo disclosed the name of their associate, Aftaar Ahmad Lohar of Surankote, Poonch, who was subsequently arrested,” the SSP said.
Investigations have revealed that the six had been operating on the directions of Pakistan-based handlers and were planning to recruit more terrorists and carry out terrorist activities in Baramulla and nearby areas, the SSP said, adding: “A case under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Arms Act stands registered at Baramulla PS and further probe is underway.”
When asked whether the involvement of women and juveniles in terror networks was a challenge, the SSP said that it wasn’t the first such case as earlier too, several women and minors had been arrested over their terror links. “In this case, we have observed that an arms supply racket runs from Kashmir to Poonch. We are tracking links and routes used for supplying arms. More arrests are likely to be made,” SSP Nagpure said, adding that the minor accused will be tried under the Juvenile Justice Act.
“The process of arrests began after two suspects were detained in September in Uri,” the SSP said. On September 21, Baramulla Police through reliable sources came to know that one individual, Yaseen Ahmad Shah, a resident of Baramulla’s Janbazpora, was missing from his home and may have joined LeT or its shadow outfit The Resistance Force. “Accordingly, a case under relevant sections was registered at Baramulla PS and an investigation was launched. Subsequently, Yaseen was apprehended by a joint team of district police, the Army, and CRPF during a vehicle checking drive at Tapper Pattan on September 22,” the SSP said.
“During questioning, Yaseen disclosed the name of his other associate Parvaiz Ahmad Shah of Takiya Wagoora, following which a joint team of the Army, Baramulla Police, and CAPF raided the latter’s residence and arrested him. Two grenades were also recovered from his possession,” the SSP said.
“Based on further disclosure by Yaseen, a pistol, one pistol magazine, and eight live rounds were seized from his Janbazpora residence along with other incriminating materials on September 23. Yaseen also disclosed the names of his other associates as Nigeena of Vijipora, Hajin, and Aafreena alias Aayat of Patpora, Shalteng in Srinagar. The duo was subsequently arrested and two hand grenades were seized,” said SSP Nagpure.
“On Monday (September 25), Yaseen and Parvaiz during questioning revealed the names of two more associates — Mudasir Ahmad Rather from Takiya Wagoora and Showkat Ahmad Malik of Wagila Wagoora — and based on their arrest and disclosure, a Chinese grenade, a pistol, one pistol magazine and eight live rounds were seized from them,” the officer added.
Earlier on September 14, a joint team of security personnel manning a check-post at Paranpeelan Bridge in Uri spotted two suspects heading from Dachi towards the bridge and tried to flee on noticing the naka party but were apprehended. “During a subsequent search, two Glock pistols, four pistol magazines, two pistol silencers, give Chinese grenades and 29 live pistol rounds were seized from the two men — Baramulla residents Zaid Hassan Malla and Muhammad Arif Channa — who were immediately taken into custody. They were involved in cross-border smuggling of arms and ammunition at the behest of Pakistan-based terror handlers and its further distribution to LeT terrorists for carrying out terror activities,” said the SSP. “A case under the Arms Act and UAPA was registered at Uri PS and investigations were launched. During interrogation, the duo disclosed the name of their associate, Aftaar Ahmad Lohar of Surankote, Poonch, who was subsequently arrested,” the SSP said.
