A militant associate was apprehended with arms and explosives during a joint operation by the police, the Indian Army’s 16 Rashtriya Rifles, and the 38 Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in the Surankote area of Poonch district last evening, officials reported.
The joint forces had set up a checkpoint at Potha Bypass when they noticed a man approaching from Surankote in a suspicious manner. Upon spotting the security personnel, the suspect attempted to flee but was swiftly apprehended. During the search, a blue bag containing three HE 36 hand grenades, explosive material, and other incriminating items was recovered from him, officials said.
The suspect has been identified as Mohd Shabir, son of Mohd Farooq, a resident of Daryala Nowshera. Preliminary investigations revealed that he was in contact with a handler from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), identified as Azim Khan, also known as Mudeer, who instructed him to collect the consignment from Surankote town.
The police have taken cognizance of the situation, and more arrests are expected in connection with the case, an official added.
