HM's plot to disrupt J

Jammu, Nov 2 (UNI) Security forces have foiled a plot of pan-Islamic Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) terrorist outfit to disrupt the Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir by arresting its two key cadres, who had managed to enter into the state via the Nepal border, official sources said today.

While one HM militant, identified as Farooq Ahmed Bhat alias Najeebullah of district Budgam (Kashmir), was arrested by the 72 CRPF bn and police at the Jammu Tawi railway station, the another HM hardcore, namely Aashiq Hussain alias Faisal Iqbal of Handwara (Kashmir), was nabbed at Batote (on Jammu-Srinagar national highway) in Udhampur district, police said.

A Pakistani passport and identity card were also recovered from Aashiq Hussain, who was heading for Srinagar, police said.

However, Bhat was nabbed by security forces before he could succeed in meeting up with his associates in Jammu.

During separate interrogation, both the militants accepted that they had entered J&K from Pakistan via Nepal borders, sources said, adding both the militants were assigned to carry out terrorist activities during the Assembly elections in the state.

Bhat had crossed over to the Lipa valley in the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) from Dodipora, Kupwara, in 2001. He received weapon training in the terrorist camps, and had also trained several youths during his eight-year-long stay in PoK.

Some more disclosures are expected from the arrested duo, who are being questioned by the police separately.

Meanwhile, police have established several check posts and deployed personnel at various places to keep watch on people entering and leaving winter capital city.

Police have also started random checking of private vehicles in Jammu city.

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