Lashkar-e-Mustafa chief arrested in Jammu
Arms and ammo recovered from him, more recoveries expected: SSP Jammu, Says militant was travelling in a vehicle, LeM front org of JeM, arrested militant Hidayatullah was wanted for a failed Car Bomb attack case of Pulwama: Police
Jammu, February 06, 2021: Police in Jammu on Saturday arrested a militant who has been identified as Hidayatullah Malik and was acting as the chief of lesser known militant outfit Lashkar-e-Mustafa.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Jammu, Sridhar Patil said that based on information, teams of police intercepted a vehicle at Kunjwani and nabbed the militant.
“Initially he tried to attack and manhandle the police team but his attack was prevented and he was nabbed,” said the SSP, adding that one pistol and a grenade has been recovered from the arrested militant.
He added that some arms and ammunition have also been recovered from the possession of militants and further investigation into the matter is going on. “Give us some time and we will share all details will be shared,” the SSP said.
A police spokesman in a statement issued here said, that in order to dismantle the structure of Lashkar-e-Mustafa (LeM) a front organisation of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), the efforts of Anantnag Police led to the arrest of its “self-styled chief Hidayatullah Malik alias Hasnain in Jammu City by the joint team of Anantnag Police and Jammu Police.
“The first arrest in this chain was Ayaz Bhat of Anantnag from whom one pistol was recovered on 18.01.2021 in Case FIR No. 09/2021 of PS Anantnag). On his disclosure, two more terror associates namely Rayees Mir of Pampore and Shakir Itoo of Shopian were arrested from whose possession two grenades were recovered (Case FIR No. 10/2021 and FIR No. 11/2021 of PS Anantnag),” the police statement said. “Four more militant associates hailing from Anantnag were arrested and two Pistols, AK-47 rounds and hand grenades were recovered. (Case FIR No. 13/2021 of PS Bijbehera and FIR No. 20/2021 of PS Bijbehera).”
The statement said that during the further course of investigation, arrested militant associates revealed that militant Hidayatullah Malik is putting up in Bathindi area of Jammu and planning major attack in Jammu City being the winter capital of the UT of J&K.
The police spokesman said that accordingly, a special team of Anantnag Police was constituted and deputed to Jammu to launch the operation. Today, at about 03:30 PM an operation was launched with the assistance of Jammu police at Kunjwani Jammu. “During the joint operation the said militant attacked the joint party and tried to escape from the spot but the team while displaying exemplary discipline and dedication apprehended him tactfully because Kunjwani area of Jammu is a very crowded place,” he said.
He said that incriminating materials, arms and ammunition including two pistols and grenades have been recovered from his possession.
It is pertinent to mention that militant Hidayatullah is one of ten accused in case FIR No. 40/2020 of Pulwama dated 27/05/2020 pertaining to detection of the powerful car bomb which was later on destroyed on the spot to avert any major mishap—(KNO)
