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The Punjab Police in a joint operation with Central Agencies thwarted a possible terrorist attack in the border state by busting a terrorist module with the arrest of two operatives, said DGP Punjab, Gaurav Yadav, in a press release on Saturday.
According to the official release, the terrorist module is backed by the militant outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and is being handled by Firdaus Ahmed Bhat, an active member of the Lashkar-e-Taiba. The press release further mentioned that the apprehended individuals have been identified as Uzair Ul Haq of Rahpora Khudwani in Jammu & Kashmir and Raj Mohammad Andleeb of Kherwan in Jammu & Kashmir. The Police have also recovered two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), two hand grenades, one .30 bore pistol along with two magazines and 24 cartridges, eight detonators, one timer switch and four batteries from their possession, said the official statement. DGP Gaurav Yadav, according to the official release, said that input was received that the Punjab border is being used by Lashkar-e-Taiba for smuggling of huge consignments of arms and explosives, and their two members were expected to retrieve the consignment in the area of Kathu Nangal. On the basis of the received input, Punjab Police's State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) wing of Amritsar in coordination with Central Agencies launched a special operation in the area and apprehended both the accused persons with the weapon consignment. The official release further mentioned that the preliminary investigations have revealed that the arrested accused were recruited in a terror organisation by Firdaus Ahmed Bhat and the militant outfit was planning to use them to target places of strategic importance and prominent personalities in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab to disturb peace and harmony of the country. DGP Yadav said that both the arrested accused persons were in constant touch with Firdaus Ahmed Bhat via various social media platforms and on Thursday, he had sent them to Amritsar to collect the consignment of weapons and bring it to the Kashmir valley. Sharing more details, AIG SSOC Amritsar, Sukhminder Singh Mann, said that it was also revealed that accused Uzair Ul Haq, who is kin of Firdaus Ahmed Bhat, was earlier arrested in two cases pertaining to stone pelting in District Kulgam, whereas, Raj Mohammad Andleeb has no previous criminal record, he added. Further investigations are being carried out to unearth the entire terror network of Lashkar-e-Toiba, said AIG Mann, adding that efforts are also being made to detect the source of consignment. The official release further mentioned that a case has been registered under sections 13, 17, 18 and 20 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), section 25 of the Arms Act, sections 3, 4 and 5 of the Explosives Act and sections 109, 115 and 120-B of the IPC at Police Station SSOC in Amritsar. (ANI)
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