Sopore: Sopore police on Tuesday claimed to have arrested eleven over ground workers (OGWs) including two active militants in north Kashmir.
Addressing a press conference, SSP Sopore Harmeet Singh Metha said eleven OGWs including two active militants were held in a joint operation by MARCOS, CRPF and police at Watlab area of Bandipora.
He said the proper investigation revealed that the arrested were OGWs of militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen. “Their mission was to motivate youths in north Kashmir to join the militant ranks,” he said. “Among the arrested, two were active militants of Hizb and were operating in south Kashmir since long.”
The two active militants have been identified as Mushtaq Ahmed Chopan alias Haroon son of Ghulam Mohammad Chopan resident of Wagad Tral, Shija-ul-din Shiekh son of Ghulam Mahiddin Shiekh resident of Dadsara Tral, SSP Sopore said.
Other arrested OGWs have been identified as Irshad Ahmad Lone son of Abdul Rashid Lone resident of Seer Tral, Humaiz resident of Kupwara, Tajamul Islam Shah son of Mohammad Maqbool Shah resident of Dangerpora Sopore, Syed Tamiz u din son of Syed Mohiuddin resident of Dangerpora Sopore, Ghulam Nabi Mir son of Mohammad Akbar Mir resident of Iqbal Nagar Sopore, Mudasir Ahmed Mir son of Mohammad Akbar Mir resident of Iqbal Nagar Sopore, Saleem Ahmed Beigh son of Mushtaq Ahmed Beigh resident of Sheikh Sahib Sopore, Muzamil Ahmed Ganie son of Ghulam Hassan Ganai resident of Shiekh Sahib Sopore and Showket Ahmed Kaboo son of Ali Mohammad Kaboo resident of Arampora Sopore.
“A huge quantity of arms and ammunition were also recovered from them which includes one AK 47 rifle, one AK Magazine, 15 AK rounds, one pistol, one pistol magazine, 3 pistol rounds, and one hand grenade,” Mehta said. “The incriminating documents, letter pads, posters, recruitment forms, mobile phones of Hibz and Jaish outfit were also recovered.”
SSP Sopore said a case FIR no. 10/2018 under section 7/25 A stands registered in police station Sopore and the investigation is going on.
Harmeet said about 15 to 20 militants are active in the Sopore belt.