KL Report
SRINAGAR
Army Saturday claimed that it apprehended a top Hizbul Mujahadeen Commander who was evading arrest from past 14 years. A top Army official from 27 Rashtriya Rifles told a local news agency, CNS that the dreaded HM militant was arrested in a joint operation from Duban area of North Kashmir’s Bandipora District.
He has been identified as Juniad alias Manzoor alias Arshad son of Fakir Doi of Kehsan Aloosa, Bandipora. Army official said that acting on specific information regarding the presence of a HM militant inside a residential house at Duban area of Turkpura, Army’s 27 RR and SOG cordoned off the area on Friday night.
He said the militant tried to break the cordon but was overpowered by the joint team of 27 RR and police and was later arrested. The Army official said that on his instance, police and army recovered one AK-56 rifle with two magazines and 60 rounds.
Army sources told CNS that Junaid was not only a militant but was acting a guide to them. “He was instrumental in bringing militant groups in Kashmir and was evading arrest from past 14 years,” sources said.
Sources further said that Junaid escaped last month in Cental Kashmir’s Ganderbal district when Army and SOG killed at least five militants during nocturnal operation.
Meanwhile, Army and SOG personnel launched a massive search operation in Devar Lolab forests. Highly placed sources told CNS Army had inputs that at least 20 militants have infiltrated into this part of Kashmir and are camping in North Kashmir’s Lolab forests.
“We have started a massive operation to flush out the militants. Army’s 18 and 28 RR along with Special Operation Group personnel from Sogam are on the job,” Army sources said.
Reports said that militants fired upon indiscriminately on Army and SOG at Wanidoora near Harvanbal on Saturday afternoon. More combat forces were called in to assist the deployment there.
Reliable sources said that Army has inputs that militant group present in Lolab Forests is headed by one dreaded Pakistani militant Aadil Ahmed who according to sources took over the command of Jaish-i-Muhammad after the death of Qari Yasir. JeM commander, Qari Yasir was killed in Garewad village of Lolab in July this year.
