AWANTIPORA, SEPT 27: In a major counter-terrorism operation, police have arrested six terrorist associates and recovered a cache of arms, ammunition, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Awantipora, Kashmir. The arrests were made following specific intelligence inputs about a terror module operating in the area, linked to a Pakistan-based Kashmiri terrorist from the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) outfit.
According to official sources, the terror handler in Pakistan was actively identifying and motivating local youth to join militant ranks. The identified recruits were supplied with weapons, explosives, and other materials to carry out terror acts before formally joining the ranks of the outfit.
Based on the intelligence, a case was registered under FIR No. 108/2024 at Police Station Tral under sections 13/18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and section 7/25 of the Indian Arms Act. During the investigation, police uncovered a network of youths being recruited from the Tral area of Awantipora and Kulgam district, facilitated by an Over Ground Worker (OGW) currently in jail.
The module members were provided with pistols, grenades, IEDs, and other explosives to carry out terror attacks, including target killings, grenade attacks on security forces, and detonating IEDs in public places or against non-local laborers. The group was also tasked with planting IEDs at pre-selected locations, under the direction of the Pakistani terror handler, who had also provided funds for executing the attacks and acquiring more materials for fabricating IEDs.
During the operation, police recovered a significant quantity of arms and explosives, including five IEDs with remote controls, 30 detonators, 17 IED batteries, two pistols with three magazines, 25 live rounds, four hand grenades, and cash amounting to ₹20,000.
The investigation is ongoing, and more arrests and recoveries are expected as the case unfolds.
