Srinagar, Feb 13: Police on Monday claimed to have arrested a Jaish-e-Muhammad associate and recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition from his possession in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
“Police along with Army thwarted nefarious designs of terrorists of targeting police & security forces by recovering huge cache of arms & ammunition and arresting a suspected person in Pulwama,” said a police spokesman, in a statement.
“Acting on specific information regarding delivery of consignment of weapons in general area of Pulwama, a special team of Police and Army (55RR) was formed and deployed in covert at different suspicious locations,” he said.
At Naina Bhatpora near petrol pump in the jurisdiction of Police Station Litter, a suspected person riding a scooty who after noticing the joint party, tried to flee from the spot, said the spokesman.
“Accordingly, the joint team swung into action and tactfully nabbed the suspected person and recovered the consignment of arms & ammunition. He has been identified as Showkat Ahmed Digoo son of Abdul Wahab Digoo resident of Naina, Bhatpora,” he said.
The consignment of arms & ammunition recovered by the joint team includes 01 Pistol, 25 Chinese Grenades, 02 Pistol Magazines, 230 Pistol Cartridges, 10 AK Magazines, 300 AK Cartridges and other incriminating materials.
“During questioning, Showkat Ahmed disclosed that he was in contact with jailed terrorist associate namely Firdous Ahmed Bhat son of Abdul Ahad Bhat resident of Naina, presently lodged at Central Jail Rajouri in case FIR No. 118/2021 of Police Station Litter,” added the spokesman.
“He further disclosed that he was working for JEM terrorist outfit and this huge cache of arms & ammunition was meant for further distribution on the behest & coordination of the jailed terrorist associate in order to carry out terror attacks on Police and security forces & disrupt the peaceful atmosphere in the valley.”
In this regard, a case FIR No. 10/2023 under relevant sections of law stands registered at Police Station Litter and further investigation is in progress.