4 JeM associates behind Arihal IED blast arrested

HM cmdrs’ properties confiscated

SRINAGAR: In a major success, Jammu and Kashmir police on Monday claimed to have busted a module of militant associates responsible for carrying out blasts in the area and arrested four associates involved in crime, even as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) confiscated properties of two Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) commanders, who are currently in Pakistan.
Four suspected militants, reportedly linked with the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), were arrested during different raids by police, it said on Monday.
A police spokesman in a statement said that they were arrested for their involvement in case FIR No. 155/2019 pertaining to a blast at Arihal area of Pulwama, adding they also aided militants on several occasions.
“Officers while investigating the case learnt about the involvement of one person Sharik Ahmad who has been constantly communicating with a foreign militant and making plans to carry out attacks in the area,” said the spokesman.
“Accordingly Sharik with the help of three other associates identified as Aqib Ahmad, Adil Ahmad Mir and Owais Ahmad conspired and executed an attack in Airhal area of Pulwama where a blast was carried out using explosives in July this year,” he said.
“Investigation into the case revealed that all the four persons are linked to JeM and played their active part in conspiring and executing this attack in Airhal area. All the four militant associates have been arrested and shifted to Police Station Pulwama where they remain in custody,” he added.
“Incriminating materials recovered from their possession has been taken into records for the purpose of investigation and to probe their complicity in other crimes. Further investigation in the matter is in progress,” said the spokesman.
Meanwhile, properties of two Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) commanders, currently in Pakistan, were confiscated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in south Kashmir district of Anantnag.