Jammu: Two Hizbul Mujahideen associates belonging to Shopian district were arrested in Rajouri district of Jammu division while trying to flee with a stolen weapon. They fired two bullets but were overpowered. The police man whose rifle was stolen has been put on suspension aswell.
According to SSP, Rajouri, Yougal Manhas a joint check-post of Rajouri Police, 72 battalion of CRPF and Army (38 RR) was set up on Rajouri-DKG road in the early hours after weapons and ammunition were stolen by some militants from a police barrack during the night.
Manhas was addressing a presser called to share details of the incident.
He said that while forces were conducting frisking of vehicles a motor cycle with two on it were signalled to stop but the duo sped from the spot, disembarked from bike and tried to flee taking benefit of dim light of the early morning. They fired two bullets as well.
However, soldiers of police, Army and CRPF overpowered the two.
The arrested militants have been identified as 22-year-old Mukhtar Ahmed and 22-year-old Aijaz Ahmed Paray of Shopian district and both have several militancy-related cases registered against them of Police Station Zainapura in Shopian district, he said.
An Insas rifle with three magazines and 49 live cartridges along with two empty fired cartridges was recovered from their possession, he said.
Police personnel deployed at police post BGSB Shrine Shahdra Sharif informed officers that an Insas with magazines has been stolen by unidentified men from the police barrack, he said.
During initial interrogation, both the arrested militants said they stole weapons and magazines from the police barrack, officer said.
The duo was to join Hizbul Mujahideen outfit in Shopian district and were in constant touch with HM commander Zeenat-ul-Islam operating in South Kashmir, he said.
A case has been registered in Police Station Thanamandi, he said.
He also said that the cop whose rifle was stolen has been put on submission for negligence on duty.
The duo were planning to get away with rifle and join the militant ranks and had made a recce of the place earlier, Manhas said.