Terror module busted in Kupwara, ‘hybrid terrorist’ arrested

Security forces busted a terror module allegedly linked to banned Hizbul Mujahideen in Kupwara district and arrested ex-terrorist Manzoor Ahmad Bhat, police said. A pistol, two magazines and 16 rounds of ammunition were recovered from his possession, they said

Srinagar: Security forces on Wednesday busted a terror module allegedly run by an ex-terrorist in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir and arrested a suspected “hybrid terrorist”, police said.

Police in Handwara received reliable information regarding the activities of an ex-terrorist who was allegedly operating as a “hybrid terrorist” as part of a module of the banned Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) in the Handwara-Kupwara area, a spokesperson said.

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A “hybrid terrorist” refers to an unlisted, radicalised individual who carries out a specific subversive or violent task assigned by handlers and then returns to normal life.

Acting on the information, security forces launched an operation at the identified location in Handwara town, the police spokesperson said.

Following a security drill, the accused was apprehended and identified as Manzoor Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Kruhmura, Handwara, he said.

A Chinese pistol, two magazines and 16 rounds of pistol ammunition were recovered from his possession, he said.

According to the spokesperson, Bhat is an ex-terrorist who was previously arrested in two cases.

A fresh case has been registered against him at the Handwara police station, and an investigation is underway to establish the full extent of the module, its network and other associated activities, police said.