Police foils IED attack in Kashmir; arrests 5 HM OGWs, seize sophisticated devise

Srinagar, Jun 19: Police on Wednesday claimed to have foiled an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attack on security forces by arresting five Over Ground Workers (OGWs) of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) and recovering a sophisticated device in south Kashmir district of Shopian.

According to a police official, on a tip-off that some persons were making IEDs, police teams conducted raids at several places in Zainpora of Shopian district late Tuesday night.

He said during the raids, police arrested five associates of militants, identified as Aqib Nazir Rathar, a resident of Awneera, Amir Majeed Wani, a resident of Durpura, Sameer Ahmed Bhat, a resident of Shirmal, Faisal Farooq Ahanger, a resident of Molu Chitragam and Rayees Ahmed Ganai, a resident of Molu Dangarpura.

'During questioning, it was revealed that militants of proscribed outfit HM, along with the arrested youth, were planning to target police and security forces by planting an IED in the area,' he said.

He said on their disclosure, a sophisticated IED was recovered from their possession and major attack was foiled. Police have registered a case and initiated investigation into the incident, he said.