In a major breakthrough ahead of Republic Day celebrations in Kashmir, security forces today busted the network of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (HUM) in Sopore area of North Kashmir and arrested 5 militants of the outfit who were planning attacks on VIPs and security forces.
Sources said that Police in Sopore and Army’s 52 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) conducted searches in Sangrama area of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district and arrested a wanted militant of HuM outfit, Ishfaq Ahmad Sofi of Sopore and his accomplice and recovered arms and ammunition from their possession.
Sources said that the HUM was in the process of reviving its network in Kashmir valley and were planning attacks ahead of Republic Day in Kashmir by targeting security forces and VIPs.
Sources said that the Sofi was in constant touch through WhatsApp with his handler Sajjad Shaheen alias Sajjad Afghani, an Afghan militant, who was handler of the group. Sajjad is believed to be based in Pakistan and one of the top commanders of the HUM.
The HUM network was busted after security forces received intelligence inputs that militants are planning to carry out attacks on security forces and VIPs on the National Highway in Sopore and Baramulla areas ahead of Republic Day.
Police and 52 RR launched an operation in the orchards of Sangrama and captured Ishfaq Ahmad Sofi alias Umar son of Mushtaq Ahmad Sofi resident of Model town Sopore and Aijaz Ahmad Gojri alias Chota Kalimullah son of Abdul Rehman Gojri of Old town Baramulla two days ago. The security forces recovered one Chinese pistol, two hand grenades and some ammunition from the captured HuM militants on the spot.
Security forces after questioning them arrested three of their accomplices Danish Gaffar Gojri alias Kalimullah son of Abdul Gaffar Gojri of Drangbal Baramulla, Javed Ahmad Dar son of Mohammad Akbar Dar of Khanpora Baramulla and Mohammad Sameer Kandu alias Sameer Baba son of Ghulam Mohidin Baba of Shalbaf Mohalla in Soura, Srinagar.
Danish Gaffar Gojri and Javed Ahmad Dar had joined the HuM last year in September and they were motivated by Ishfaq Sofi. Sources said that Sofi and Sameer Kandu were trying to revive HUM in Kashmir and were planning attacks on security forces and political rallies.
Sources said that Sofi and Kandu had hurled a grenade on 82 Battalion of CRPF in Srinagar on November 5 last year ahead of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s visit to Kashmir in which 13 CRPF men were injured. They were also involved in grenade attacks on security forces at Safa Kadal, Naid Kadal, Bilal Colony Soura and Police Station Khanyar in Srinagar last year.
