Srinagar, May 10 (Scoop News) – Baramulla Police busted a module of Hizbul Mujahideen operating in Pattan-Kunzar area in North Kashmir.
Addressing a press conference DIG NKR Munir Khan said that Baramulla Police and 2RR in a joint operation arrested five militants of HM outfit and recovered arms and ammunition from their possession. The arrested militants and the arms and ammunition recovered are Abdul Rashid Bhatt @ Molvi son of Late Ali Mohammad Bhatt resident of Khore, Pattan and recovered one AK Series Rifle, AK Mag 01, AK Amn 140 rds, Manzoor Ahmed Wani son of Gulam Nabi Wani resident of Sheerpora, Pattan and recovered one AK Series Rifle 01, AK Mag 01, AK Amn 60 Rds, Zahoor Ahmed Ganai son of Abdul Aziz resident of Hanjiwera Bala and recovered one AK Series Rifle 01, AK Mag 01, AK Amn 100 Rds, Mehraj u din Ganaie son of Assadullah Ganaie resident of Khore Pattan and recovered a Chinese pistol, Pistol Mag 01, Pistol Amn 04 Rds, Radio Set Kenwood 01 and Mudasir Ahmed Sheikh son of Abdul Rashid Sheikh resident of Kunzar, Tangmarg and recovered Chinese Hand Grenade 02.
Giving details of their activities the DIG said that the module had been constituted on the directions of Maqsood Ahmad Bhatt @Tariq son of Ghulam Mohammad Bhatt resident of Mamoosa Pattan, a self styled HM Commander presently lodged in jail. Their aim was to revive militancy and create a sense of terror among the general public of the area of Khore Pattan, Shirpora, Pattan, Kunzer and Tangmarg.
The module was tasked to selectively eliminate civilians and instill a sense of terror in the rural populace. The group had made an unsuccessful attempt on the life of The Chairman Municipal Council Kunzer, Abdul Karim Dar son of Ali Mohammad Dar resident of Kunzer. In this regard a case FIR 43/2010 under section 307 RPC, 7/27 A. Act dated 23 June 2010 has been registered at police station Kunzer. Maqsood Bhatt; a self styled divisional commander of HM, had earlier also made an attempt on the life of the said person in 2008. The group had been planning to eliminate more targets as directed by Maqsood Bhatt @Tariq but the timely apprehensions by the police have thwarted their evil designs.
The group was also involved in two grenade blasts: One on an Army convoy of 15 Grenadiers at Pattan market on 9 Sep, 2010. Three army personnel were killed and five injured in the incident. In this regard a case FIR NO: 211/2010 U/S. 302, 307RPC, 7/27 A. Act stands registered at Police Station Pattan. The other grenade attack was carried out by the same group at Magam market in front of Sub District Hospital on 11 July, 2009 during a Pulse Polio Immunization Programme. One CRPF personnel and six civilians were injured in the incident. In this regard a case FIR NO: 100/2009 u/s 307 RPC, 7/27 A. Act stands registered at Police Station Magam.
The group was trying to involve school going boys to work for their organisation. The group was also training them in the use of AK Series Rifles and Pistol in the adjoining Orchards. The Police and local army unit used to hear regular gun shots at nights hours in the general area of Khore, Shirpora, Hanjivera etc. On this the police started investigation and 2RR started laying night ambushes in the area. After a hectic effort success was achieved when the police interrogated the old OGWS and harborers of HM Commanders in the area including the recently apprehended HM Commander Hilal Ahmad Palla of Dangerpora.
The group had regularly intimidated people not to participate in the forthcoming Panchayat elections by way of pasting election boycott posters.