Hizbul Mujahideen commander arrested in Handwara

Srinagar July 11 : In a joint operation Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Rashtriya Rifles has arrested a Hizbul Mujahideen militant from Handwara District's Lach forests.

The Handwara police had received a tip-off regarding the presence of militants in the area.

Accordingly, Handwara police launched a joint operation with the troops of 30-Rashtriya Rifles. They cordoned the area but the militant opened fire on joint search party of the police, triggering a fierce firefight.

The militant finally tried to break open the cordon and flee away from the spot taking the advantage of nearby dense bushes. It was at this point that operation party after following a meticulous security drill apprehended the militant with the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, five AK magazines, 150 rounds of AK-ammunition, four Chinese grenades, a pouch and an identity card. uring preliminary questioning the subject revealed his identity as a Pakistan trained militant namely Ali Mohammad Khan alias Showkat, Deputy District Commander, B- category militant of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit, resident of Rajpora, Zachaldara Handwara.

The subject remained active in Rajwar, Qaziabad and Mawar areas of police District Handwara.

He was a close associate of the then self-styled District Commanders of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit namely Mushtaq Ahmad Malla alias Furkan, Mudasir Shabir alias Ali, Sonullah Sheikh alias Kafeel, and Shaheen Ahmad Malik alias Sajad alias Usman, who have been recently arrested by Handwara police.

ANI