Militant associate held with arms, explosives in Poonch

SRINAGAR: A militant associate was held within arms in a joint operation by the police and security forces in Surankote area of Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir last evening, officials said.

A joint naka of police, army’s 16 RR and 38 BN CRPF was laid at Potha Bypass last evening, said an official. “During searches, the security personnel noticed a person coming from Surankote towards Potha in a suspicious manner,” he said.

He said the suspect tried to escape after seeing the security forces, but was apprehended. “During searches, a blue bag containing 3 number of HE 36 hand grenades, explosive substance and other incriminating material was recovered from his possession,” added the official.

As per preliminary investigation, the suspect was identified as Mohd Shabir, son of Mohd Farooq, a resident of Daryala Nowshera, said the official, adding that he was in touch with a POK handler namely Azim Khan @ Mudeer who directed him to collect this consignment from Surankote town.

“Police has taken cognisance and more arrests are expected,” he added further.