Srinagar, November 1
The police here today claimed to have achieved a major breakthrough in various cases of murder, including that of a former minister of the National Conference, Mr Safdar Ali Beigh, with the arrest of 11 persons in Anantnag district of Kashmir.
The module of the Hizbul Mujahideen comprising 13 persons was also responsible for the IED explosion at Sarnal in Anantnag town in which National Conference President Omar Abdullah had a narrow escape on October 24.
Briefing newspersons, Mr J. A. Makhdoomi, Inspector-General of Police, Kashmir range, said the module had been busted with the active assistance of the Army and the Central Reserve Police Force. The seizures made during the searches to nab the suspects included two AK 47 rifles, four magazines and one hand grenade. A major tragedy was also averted with the recovery of a live 20 kg RDX IED yesterday during the operations. The DIG of Police, Anantnag-Pulwama range, Mr Ravinder Kotwal, and the SSP, Anantnag, Mr Ashiq Hussain Bukhari, were also present.
Those arrested, according to the IG, are: Khursheed Ahmad Lone, alias Nika, of the Hizbul Mujahideen from Qazibagh, Anantnag, Ghulam Rasool Wagay, Ashaq Hussain Narchoor, Mukhtar Ahmad Ganai, Manzoor Ahmad Bhat, Altaf Hussain Mungkhal, Imtiyaz Ahmad Din, Irfan Hamid, Ashiq Hussain Bodha, Ghulam Rasool Najar and Suhail Ahmad Deen.
With the arrest of these persons, the police claimed to have solved at least 10 cases of murder, including that of Safdar Ali Beigh (NC) on October 21 last, a Congress worker, Mohammad Yusuf Bhat, and the IED blast at Sarnal on October 24 in which National Conference President Omar Abdullah and his father Dr Farooq Abdullah had a miraculous escape.
The IGP said investigations in the cases registered were being conducted and those found guilty would be produced in court. Of the 11 persons held, five were listed militants, according to the IG. He said that search for two other “very important” suspects was still going on. One of these was believed to be a Pak militant, while the other a local, known as Kach Gooru.
While the police and security forces continue with their operation, there were protest demonstrations in Anantnag for the third consecutive day today. Residents have been alleging that security forces personnel are apprehending innocent and respectable persons of the area. According to sources, over 50 youth were apprehended during the past few days, of whom several have been
released.
