Kashmir: Security forces bust terror modules in Bandipora, one held

Police, along with 26 Assam Rifles and 3rd BN CRPF, busted a terror module in North Kashmir’s Bandipora and successfully foiled the nefarious designs of Pak-based terror handlers in reviving the terrorists in the district.

Police said on August 25, based on specific input generated by J&K police about the movement of a hybrid terrorist, a checkpoint was established by the joint party in the Dardgund area, under the jurisdiction of Police Station Pethkoot.

"At the checkpoint, a suspicious person, on noticing the joint party, tried to flee, but he was apprehended tactfully.

"On search, 1 pistol, 1 pistol magazine, 8 rounds, & other incriminating material were recovered from his possession. He has been identified as Shafayat Zubair Rishi of Nesbal Sumbal", police said.

"During questioning, the accused disclosed that he was on his way to collect a cache of arms and ammunition from a lady identified as Munira Begum, wife of killed terrorist & area commander Yousuf Choupan in Pazalpora area", police added.

"Pertinently, the accused was in touch with Pakistan-based terror handler Mushtaq Ahmad Mir, who exfiltrated to Pakistan in 1999 and was working on the revival of terrorists in the district.

"He was also involved in the 2000 Kothibagh IED blast, in which 14 people, including 12 police personnel, were killed and had remained associated with the proscribed terror outfit HM and later on with the terror outfit Al-Badr. Shafayat Zubair Rishi was also involved in burning an Army vehicle in Sumbal in 2009 and is out on bail in the said case", police said.

"Furthermore, on the disclosure of Munira Begum, a cache of arms and ammunition, including 1 Krinkov AK-47 rifle, 3 magazines, 90 rounds, and 1 pen pistol that was to be delivered to Shafait Reshi, was recovered from the nearby forest area", they said, adding that "during questioning, it was also figured that Munira has also gone to Pakistan twice".

"Moreover, Shafayat Rishi also admitted that he was about to receive 47 lakhs for the revival of terrorists. Later, this money was to be handed over to someone as per the requirements and directions of his across handler, Mushtaq Ah Mir,", they said.

A case under relevant sections of the law has been registered, and further investigation is under process.