Police denies Mudasir arrested

Srinagar, July 14 (UNI) Army troops today arrested a militant in north Kashmir, a defence ministry spokesman said.

However, rumours here said the militant arrested was Mudasir alias Raju, mastermind behind the series of grenade explosions on tourists on July 11 in the summer in which nine persons were killed and 38 wounded. Police, however, denied.

The claims Jammu and Kashmir police have recently released photograph of Mudasir and announced a reward of Rs five lakhs for anyone providing information about him.

When asked if the militant was Mudasir, the defence spokesman said questioning of the arrested person was going on and it would be premature to said anything.

"The name and affiliation of the militant would be known only after the interrogation is completed," he said.

However, mediapersons in the valley were on their toes when rumours spread that the militant was Mudasir, and it was said that he has confessed his involvement in the Mumbai blasts.

A report from Baramulla said that two persons on motorcycle were arrested by security forces at Rafiabad in the district as one of them looks like Mudasir.

However Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Baramulla told UNI that the arrested person was not Mudasir. "It was because of the person looks like Mudasir he was arrested and will be released after questioning," he said.

Inspector General of Police, Kashmir range, S M Sahai when contacted, denied that Mudasir had been arrested.

He said police and security forces are conducting raids on suspected militants hideouts across the valley during the past 48 hours.

"We have arrested few militants and busted a number of hideouts," he said, adding Mudasir is still at large.

UNI BAS VD AK BST1954