9 Jaish militants responsible for yesterdays blasts arrested

Srinagar, Apr 15: Police today claimed to have busted a module of Pakistan based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and arrested nine militants responsible for yesterday's seven grenade blasts in the city in which five persons were killed and 42 injured.

Talking to reporters here today, Director General of Police Gopal Sharma said ''Yes we have busted a module and arrested nine JeM militants responsible for these blasts.'' He said after the blasts, all the field resources were put together and finally a lead was established shortly before the last blast at Bohri Kadal in the old city last evening.

A mini bus was seized and the driver, a resident of Ajas Bandipora, was taken into custody, he said.

It was after his sustained interrogation, police conducted raids at different places and arrested the militants identified as Imtiyaz Ahmad Rather, Yasir Yousuf Lone alias Meshooq, Ajaz Ahmad, all residents of Ajas, Arif Shah, Zubair alais Wasim, Ashfaq alias Jan, Imtiyaz alias Chotoo and Muneer alias Babu, all resident of Srinagar city.

Police also seized 30 UBGL grenades, 8 hand grenades, two explosive devices, five pencil timer chargers, one magazine and 45 rounds of ammunition rifle.

Mr Sharma said interrogation of the arrested persons was going on and some more arrests are expected soon.

In reply to a question, he said the vehicle was seized near Ajas.

The vehicle was used to distribute grenades to militants in the city, he said.

The police chief said five civilians had died and 42 others, including eleven police and security personnel were injured in these blasts.

UNI