Hizbul network busted in Rajouri, three ultras held

Jammu, Apr 3: Police have busted a major network of Hizbul Mujahideen- Pir Panjal Regiment (HMPPR) and arrested three militants.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Rajouri-Poonch Range V K Singh said, the terrorist network was busted yesterday in co-ordination with army and an intelligence agency under the supervision of SSP Rajouri J P Singh.

The arrested militants have been identified as Mohammad Azeem Mohammad Farooq, an employee in PHE Deptt, advocate Ajaz Zakki and Mohammad Aslam, a Government teacher posted in Dudasanwalla.

He said Azeem was staying in a rented house in Rajouri after returning from Arms training in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Zakki was acting as ''financial commander'' of HMPPR and was operating by the code name of Abu Saad. A search operation has been launched to nab Zakki and his associates who were also Government employees.

Mr Singh said Zakki has been receiving funds for his militant activities from across the border since the last two years. The funds were channelised by him through different couriers in the Government Departments like Education and PHE.

The money used to be delivered only on naming of a code word, which was usually a six digit figure. Zakki was a close associate of HMPPR ''district commander'' Abdullah Inqullabi. He had received two-months training in Sansa camp of PoK. He had crossed over to PoK four to five times during last two years.

A pass book containing accounts of more than Rs 7 lakh during last three months was recovered from the hideout including twelve identity cards of the Election Commission, stamps, an HMPPR letter pad, one wireless set a video cassette on training of Village Defence Committees and some photographs of the militants.

UNI