Security forces on Friday arrested two “hybrid” militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and seized arms from them in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.

The police, along with Army’s 28 RR, arrested the duo and seized four pistols, eight pistol magazines, 130 pistol rounds and 10 hand grenades from them, a police spokesperson said.

Hybrid terrorist is a term coined by security forces in Jammu and Kashmir to describe those ultras who carry out a subversive task assigned to them by their handlers before slipping back into normal life.

Acting on a tip-off that two militant associates affiliated with the LeT have entered Maidanpora area of Lolab to carry out terrorist activities, a joint cordon and search operation was launched in the area, the police said.

During the course of the operation, security forces signalled to a vehicle bearing registration number JK 09A-2324 to stop at iron bridge Maidanpora. “The vehicle was abruptly stopped and two persons jumped out of it,” the police said. They have been identified as Shamim Ahmad Khan and Talib Ahmad Sheikh of Kupwara.

Security forces immediately nabbed Khan carrying a bag containing 10 hand grenades. Sheikh jumped into the fields and fled away.

“After a hectic chase and search of the area, Sheikh was apprehended from a shop located at Badi Bhera Lolab,” the police said.

Courtesy: The Tribune India :29th July , 2022