New Delhi, August 7
The special cell of Delhi Police today claimed to have arrested two suspected Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) militants who were allegedly plotting to carry out a series of terror strikes in the national capital ahead of Independence Day.

According to police, the duo, Ashiq Ali Batt and Javed Ahmed Tantray were arrested last night from Daryaganj area in central Delhi along with 2 AK 47 rifles, 2 hand grenades, 120 cartridges, fake documents and around Rs 25, 000 cash. The two were produced in a court which remanded them in ten-day police custody.

Addressing mediapersons today, PN Aggarwal, Joint Commissioner of Police (special cell) said the militants belonged to Jammu and Kashmir and had links with Pakistan. “They were given arms training in PoK and had come to India through the Nepal Border on August 3. “The same day they boarded a train from Gorakhpur, UP and reached Jammu next day. There they contacted one Faiyaz, who arranged a Santro car with consignment of arms, ammunition and explosives for them near Jammu bus stand and asked them to go to Daryaganj, Delhi,” said Aggarwal, adding that they both had been associated with HM since 2003.

Ashiq revealed that he was motivated to join militancy in 2003. One Umar Farooq took him to Pakistan for militant training. There Ashiq met several members of the HM, including Peer Sayed Salauddin — HM supreme commander.

According to police, Javed went to Pakistan in 1997 after being motivated by three HM terrorists Riyaz, Tarique and Dilawar. “He crossed the border under the leadership of Sher Khan and took militancy training at Mansora Training Camp,” said Aggarwal.

On July 29, the duo was introduced to each other and given Rs 40, 000 by Shahid, another HM militant, for their entry to India via Nepal. They were instructed to contact him from a PCO on a Pakistan mobile number after reaching Delhi. “When Ashiq called Shahid he directed him to go to Sarai Kale Khan bus stand, where they were to meet another person code named —Rizwan. However they were apprehended before they could execute their plans,” said Aggarwal.