Special Cell nabs 3 suspected ISJK militants from Srinagar
New Delhi: The Special Cell of Delhi Police on Sunday said it arrested from Srinagar three suspected militants affiliated to the Islamic State in Jammu and Kashmir (ISJK). Cops said the accused had also tried to lob a grenade at the police party before the arrest.
The investigating agency stated that during their operation, an underground hideout frequented by ISIS-inspired module members was also busted at a sprawling apple orchard in Panchgam village of Awantipora town in Pulwana district of J&K by Army after an overnight operation.
This underground hideout was found to have logistical items such as gas cylinders, clothing items, cooking items and ready-to-cook meals.
Cops said the accused have been identified as Tahir Ali Khan, Haris Mushtaq Khan and Asif Suhail Nadaf. A press statement by Delhi Police claimed that the active militants came fully loaded with three grenades and two loaded sophisticated pistols on a bike.
The swiftness of the Special Cell team in identifying the averted a grenade blast in the heart of Srinagar.
During interrogation of the accused, valuable information was extracted and raids were conducted at over a dozen hideouts of their module. Half a dozen suspects were also picked up for questioning.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Pramod Kushwaha said that the arrested accused are allegedly involved in three attacks in J&K.
In November 2017, a sub-inspector of J&K Police was killed in a shootout. In July this year, three security personnel were injured in a grenade attack by militants in the Anantnag district. In September, a civilian Ahad Ahmed – believed to be a police informer – was killed.
The press statement further claimed that accused Harris was pursuing MA from a renowned university in Delhi.
Accused Tariq was inducted into the ISIS-inspired module ranks by Asif Nazir Dar (now dead) and initially provided him with few grenades and one pistol for subversive activities. He left his home in September to join militancy, inspired by ISIS and started living in the hideouts.
Asif Suhail Nadaf was arrested in 2016 in a stone pelting case in Rainawari police station. Thereafter, he was introduced to the other active militants by Asif Nazir Dar.
Cops also claimed that Nadaf finances the operations of this module. He has also prepared IDs in different instant messaging apps for encrypted communication within their cadres.
A senior police officer claimed that the investigation is also been conducted to ascertain whether the accused have any links with Ehtisham Bilal, a student of a Sharda University from Noida who went missing after an alleged assault by his classmate and later reportedly joined ISJK.
