J&K: 3 Hizbul Mujahideen Terrorists Held, Arms And Ammunition Recovered

Police held three terrorists from the banned terror group HM and recovered arms & ammunition. A preliminary probe found that they were involved in terror crimes and provided support to terror outfits.

Officials stated on Saturday that police apprehended three terrorist affiliates of the outlawed terrorist organisation Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) in South Kashmir's Kulgam district. The police also recovered arms and ammunition from their possession.

According to PTI, the three terrorists apprehended are Hizbul Mujahideen overground workers (OGWs).

"In a major success in curbing terrorist activities and to safeguard the public from these miscreants, police parties of PC Hatipora and police station Behibagh arrested three terrorist associates of banned terrorist outfit HM on Friday at about 05:19 p.m. and recovered live arms and ammunition from their possession," police stated, according to news agency IANS. 

Kulgam police established a specific Naka at Daderkoot, Alamganj Crossing after receiving credible information about anti-national elements transporting illegal arms and ammunition in a vehicle, as stated in the report. 

According to the report, the police officers on the scene intercepted a motorcycle. During the search of the vehicle and the suspects, arms, and ammunition were discovered, including one pistol, two pistol magazines, and 13 live pistol rounds, the report added.

They have been identified as Mohd Abass Wagay of Imamsahab, as well as Gowhar Shafi Mir and Nisar Rehman Sheikh of DK Pora in Shopian.

"All the three persons were detained and after sustained interrogation, it was revealed that they were involved in terror crimes and were providing support to terror organisation," police said, according to IANS. 

This comes after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said on Friday that a Delhi court convicted four operatives of the banned terrorist organisation Hizbul Mujahideen on money laundering charges in a case linked to terror funding in Jammu and Kashmir. It stated that the punishment would be announced on February 27 by the Additional Sessions Judge-3 (Patiala House court).

Earlier on Thursday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the Kashmir-centric Hizbul Mujahideen and Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan will continue to be designated as global terrorist organisations and that there is no reason to change their status.

(With Inputs From Agencies)