The Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) police said on January 16 that it averted a major militant attack ahead of the Republic Day in Kashmir by arresting five militants of the Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) in Srinagar, and recovered arms and ammunition.
“A body vest fitted with shrapnel and bar bearings, besides a huge quantity of explosive material, was recovered from the arrested persons,” Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of police V. K. Birdi said.
Police said the Jaish module, which was active in Srinagar, was behind grenade blasts in Srinagar after August 5. “Two were involved in a grenade attack to enforce a shutdown against abrogation of Article 370,” said the police officer.
Those arrested were identified as Aijaz Ahmed Sheikh, Umar Hameed Sheikh, Imtiyaz Ahmed Chikla alias Imran, Sahil Farooq Gojri and Naseer Ahmed Mir, all residents of Srinagar.
The explosives seized included 143 gelatin rods, secondary explosives, a silencer, 42 detonators, an improvised explosive device, walkie-talkie and small arms.
LeT militant held
In a separate operation, police in south Kashmir’s Awantipora arrested a militant of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
Police said Ishfaq Ahmad Dar alias Maheed from Dangerpora-Padgampora was involved in many cases of threatening and intimidating civilians. He was also involved in providing logistic support and assistance to LeT terrorists operating in Awantipora.
Leaders released
Meanwhile, the J&K administration on January 16 released five more politicians from the sub-jail of MLA Hostel in Srinagar.
Those released included National Conference (NC) leader Salman Sagar, ex-NC MLA Altaf Kaloo, ex-NC MLC Showkat Ganai, NC leader Mukhtar Band and People Democratic Party (PDP) leader Nizam u Din Bhat.
Five political leaders were earlier released on December 30.
Over 20 political prisoners continue to remain detained in the MLA Hostel jail, which include senior NC leader Ali Muhammad Sagar, PDP's Naeem Akhtar, Peoples Conference's Sajad Lone and J&K Peoples Movement's chief Shah Faesal.
