Sleeper cell module busted in Pulwama, 5 active LeT terrorist associates arrested
STATE TIMES NEWS
SRINAGAR: Newly appointed District Commander of proscribed terror outfit HM Mudasir Wagay was killed in an encounter with security forces in Kulgam district on Saturday while a sleeper cell module in Pulwama was busted and five active terrorist associates of proscribed terror outfit of LeT arrested, police said.
Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in the Ashmuji area of the south Kashmir district following information about the presence of terrorists there, a police official said.
During the operation, the hiding terrorists fired at the forces, leading to a gunfight, he said, adding one ultra was killed.
Acting on specific input regarding presence of terrorists in Ashmuji area of district Kulgam, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, 9RR and 18Bn CRPF in the area.
During the operation, as the presence of terrorists was ascertained they were given ample opportunities to surrender, instead they started firing indiscriminately on the search parties. The joint parties rescued the civilians and shifted them to safer places.
The fire was retaliated leading to an encounter in which newly appointed district commander of proscribed terror outfit HM was killed and his body retrieved from the site. He has been identified as Mudasir Wagay son of Jamal Wagay resident of Malwan Kulgam.
As per police records, killed terrorist Mudasir was an A+ categorized terrorist and was active since year 2018 figuring among the list of most wanted terrorists. He was part of groups involved in several terror crimes including attack on security forces and civilian atrocities. He was also involved in killing of a political worker Gh Hassan Lone in Devsar area of Kulgam.
Moreover, the Insas rifle recovered from the killed terrorist is the same which was snatched by terrorists in 2017 at Pombay DH Pora during an attack on bank vehicle.
Incriminating material, arms and ammunition including said Insas rifle were recovered from the site of encounter. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation. Police have registered cases under relevant sections of law and investigations have been initiated.
Besides, Pulwama police, during the investigation of cases pertaining to multiple grenade attacks in district Pulwama, busted a network of active associates of proscribed terrorist outfit LeT by arresting five active terrorist associates. They have been identified as Showket Islam Dar, son of Mohd Rustom Dar; Aijaz Ahmad Lone, son of Mohd Abdullah; Aijaz Gulzar Lone, son of Gulzar Ahmad; Manzoor Ahmad Bhat, son of Ali Mohd and Nasser Ahmad Shah, son of Late Gh. Rasool all residents of Lelhar Pulwama.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the module was acting as sleeper cell and were involved in procurement as well as transportation of arms/ammunition. They were also involved in carrying out grenade attacks on security forces at the behest of their handlers.
Incriminating materials including arms/ammunition have been recovered from their possession. Accordingly, a case vide FIR No. 139/2021 under relevant sections of law has been registered at PS Kakapora. Further investigation into the matter is in progress.