6 JeM militant associates arrested in Awantipora: Police

SRINAGAR (KIMS) — At least six associates of the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) militant group were arrested in the Awantipora area of Pulwama district, along with arms and ammunition, police said on Friday.

“Awantipora police received specific intelligence that a Pakistan-based Kashmiri militant from JeM was identifying local youth who could be motivated to join militant ranks. After identifying such youth, they were supplied with arms, ammunition, and explosives to carry out militant activities before formally joining the group, the statement added. Based on this information, an FIR (No. 108/2024) under sections 13/18 UAPA and 7/25 of the Indian Arms Act was registered at the Tral Police Station,” police said in a statement.

“During the investigation, police identified the youth involved in this module. It further revealed that with the assistance of an overground worker (OGW) currently in jail, the Pakistan-based militant had motivated several youths from the Tral area of Awantipora and Kulgam district to join JeM. The youth were provided with pistols, grenades, IEDs, and other explosives. Before formally joining, they were instructed to carry out militant acts such as targeted killings, grenade attacks on security forces and public places, attacks on non-local laborers, or planting IEDs,” the statement said.

“Further investigations revealed that the militant handler had identified specific locations for planting IEDs with the help of these youths, the statement continued. Additionally, funds were sent to carry out these tasks and to procure materials for assembling more IEDs,” the statement said.

“So far, six militant associates have been arrested, police said in a statement. Based on their disclosures, a large cache of arms and explosives, including five IEDs with remotes, 30 detonators, 17 IED batteries, two pistols, three pistol magazines, 25 live rounds, four hand grenades, and Rs 20,000 in cash, has been recovered,” the statement added.

Further investigation is underway, and more arrests and recoveries are expected, the statement said. — (KIMS)