14-member Hizbul Mujahideen module busted in Kashmir

Baramulla, Jun 7 (UNI) In a major breakthrough, Jammu and Kashmir police busted a 14-member Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) module allegedly responsible for detonating Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) through mobile phones and killing of dozen of people, including a senior Congress leader, in north Kashmir.

After working for several weeks, the police arrested 14 HM militants from different parts of Baramulla and Sopore, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of police for north Kashmir Dr Srinivasan told reporters.

He said special police teams were formed after receiving a tip off that a group of HM militants, responsible for causing blasts and attacking security forces and civilians were hiding in Baramulla and Sopore.

The north Kashmir police chief said raids were conducted in different parts during which 14 militants were arrested.

Two pistols and large cache of arms and ammunition, besides huge quantity of explosives were recovered from their possession.

He said the militants, during questioning, admitted their involvement in triggering an IED blast on Baramulla national highway through mobile phone, causing the death of two civilians. They also caused another IED blast at Sopore, the DIG said.

Dr Srinivasan said one of the pistol recovered from their possession was allegedly used for killing four civilians, including a senior Congress leader Jan Mohammad Kakroo last year.

In reply to a question, he said, a number of militants are still active in the district. '' We are after Tanveer, Divisional Commander of HM'', he said adding he (Tanveer) is forcing youths into militancy.

He said the arrested militants said that they were being given different tasks by Tanveer to carry out.

One of the militant Mushtaq Ahmad Lala said that he was pressurised by militants to join them.

''We supported a Congress candidate Wali Mohammad War in civic elections,'' he said and added after War was killed by militants, they left the party.

I joined the HM only a month ago, he said adding he had not participated in any militant action so far.

UNI