Handwara police, in a joint operation with the Army’s 21 Rashtriya Rifles and 92 Battalion CRPF, have busted an alleged hybrid terror module linked to the banned Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) outfit and arrested an ex-terrorist from Handwara town.
Acting on specific intelligence regarding the activities of an ex-terrorist allegedly operating in a hybrid role for the module in the Handwara-Kupwara area, the joint security team launched an operation at an identified location.
Following a detailed security drill, the accused was apprehended and identified as Manzoor Ahmad Bhat, son of Mohd Sultan Bhat, a resident of Kruhmura, Handwara.
According to police, a Chinese-made pistol, two magazines and 16 rounds of pistol ammunition were recovered from his possession. Police said the arrested individual is an ex-terrorist who had previously been arrested in two cases.
A case under FIR No. 232 has been registered at Police Station Handwara under relevant provisions of law.
Further investigation is underway to establish the broader network, identify other associates and determine the extent of the alleged module’s activities in the Handwara-Kupwara area, police said in a statement.
