Security forces have arrested eight suspected overground workers (OGWs) of terrorists in three separate operations across Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. The operations were conducted in Shopian and Pulwama districts and resulted in the recovery of grenades, ammunition, AK magazines, mobile phones and other material.
In Shopian district, police and Army personnel launched a joint search operation at an orchard in the Imamsahib area following specific intelligence inputs. During the search, the security forces recovered a grenade, two AK magazines, four mobile phones and posters linked to a banned terror outfit.
Three suspected OGWs were arrested during the operation. They were identified as Ashiq Hussain Kumar, Arif Kumar and Harris Manzoor.
In a separate operation in Shopian, security forces detained three motorcycle-borne individuals late on Monday night. Their search led to the recovery of two hand grenades and other incriminating material allegedly linked to the Hizbul Mujahideen terror outfit.
The three suspects were identified as Junaid Ahmad Dar, Amir Yousuf and Junaid Muzaffar.
The third operation was conducted in the Yarwan forest area of CB Nath in Rajpora, Pulwama district. Acting on security inputs, police, Army and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel launched a cordon-and-search operation in the area.
During the operation, security personnel noticed two individuals emerging from the forest towards CB Nath village in a suspicious manner. The joint teams subsequently apprehended both suspects.
The two individuals were identified as Latif Ahmad Deedad and Aejaz Ahmad Bajad. Security forces recovered one pistol, 12 rounds of ammunition and one hand grenade from their possession.
Police have registered a case under relevant provisions of the Arms Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Investigators are now examining the activities of the arrested suspects, the source of the recovered weapons and ammunition, and their possible links with wider terrorist networks.
The coordinated operations in Shopian and Pulwama come as security forces continue efforts to identify and disrupt support networks associated with terrorist organisations in Jammu and Kashmir. The latest arrests and recoveries are expected to form part of the ongoing investigation into suspected terror-related activities in the region.