In a major breakthrough, security forces have arrested seven Over Ground Workers (OGWs) of terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen from Sopore township of north Kashmir's Baramulla district, police said today.
The arrests were made in separate raids over the last few days and come close on the heels of security forces gunning down a top Hizbul Mujahideen commander and arresting two OGWs, hailing from the town, last week, said a police officer.
Mohammad Syed Malik, Sajad Ahmad Chopan, Ikhlaq Ahmad Sheikh and Showkat Ahmad Lone -- all residents of Bomai -- were arrested near Dangerpora crossing in the town, he added.
Three sets of police uniforms, four pairs of police shoes, nine sets of chains, 500 grams of RDX, four rocket-propelled grenades, a wireless set, an under barrel grenade launcher (UBGL), three IED circuits, a pressure mine, nine wireless antennae and a bayonet were recovered from them, the officer said, adding that a private car too was seized during the operation.
Three more OGWs -- Irshad Ahmad Lone of Tujjar Sharief, Abdul Majeed Bhat of Wahipora-Handwara and Zahoor Ahmad Bhat of Bomai -- were arrested from Sopore town, he said, adding that the seizure made from them included a police uniform, two rifle grenades, six detonators and a wireless set.
All the seven arrested persons were booked under various sections of the Explosive Substances Act and the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, said the officer.
On June 30, two OGWs were arrested along with a huge cache of arms and explosives from Amargarh bypass near Tarzoo.
On June 28, self-styled divisional commander of Hizbul Mujahideen Samir Ahmad Wani was killed in a gunfight with the security forces at Nagri Hatmulla in Kupwara district.
Hailing from Sopore town, Wani was one of the most wanted militants in the valley.
