SRINAGAR: Security forces in Kashmir have arrested a top militant of the Hizbul Mujahideen outfit who, they said, was evading arrest from past 14 years.
A top Army official from 27 Rashtriya Rifles said the militant was arrested in a joint operation from Duban area of North Kashmir’s Bandipora District.
He has been identified as Juniad alias Manzoor alias Arshad son of Fakir Dori, Kehsan Aloosa.
The Army official said that acting on a specific information regarding the presence of the militant inside a residential house, the village was cordoned off. He said the militant tried to break the cordon but was overpowered by the joint team of 27 RR and police and was later arrested.
The Army official said that on his instance, police and army recovered one AK-56 rifle with two magazines and 60 rounds. A local news agency, CNS, reports that Junaid also acted as a guide to other militants.
“He was instrumental in bringing militant groups in Kashmir and was evading arrest from past 14 years,” the agency reports, quoting sources.
The sources said Junaid had last month managed to give a slip to security forces in north Kashmir’s Ganderbal district where Army and SOG killed at least five militants during a nocturnal operation.
Meanwhile, Army and SOG personnel have launched a massive search operation in Devar Lolab forests. The CNS reports that the Army has inputs about the presence of at least 20 militants there.
“We have started a massive operation to flush out the militants. Army’s 18 and 28 RR along with Special Operation Group personnel from Sogam are on the job,” it reports quoting Army officials.
The Army has inputs that the militant group present in Lolab forests is headed by a Pakistani militant, Aadil Ahmed, who according to sources took over the command of Jaish-i-Muhammad outfit after the death of Qari Yasir, killed in July this year.
