Four arrested in for strengthening Hizbul network

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir police on Tuesday claimed that it has arrested an overground worker (OWG) of outlawed militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen and seized a huge amount of money from him. This money, it said, was received by him from an active militant of the outfit and was meant for distribution among militants and supporting activists for carrying out subversive activities in the state.

A statement issued by the police here said that its unit in Awantipora in southern Pulwama district received reliable information about the HM militant, Adil Ahmad Bhat, a resident of the district Malangpora village, having handed over a huge amount to one OGW namely Rouf-ul-Islam Wani and a resident of Batpora Ladhoo Khrew (Pulwama). “This amount of money was meant for distribution among other terrorists and OWGs for carrying out terror activities in the area,” the police said.

The police sources said that the amount allegedly distributed among three persons was Rs 10 lakh.

It added that during the course of investigation Wani was arrested and when questioned he admitted to receiving the money from Bhat “for distribution of the same among the other terrorists and OGWs of HM outfit for raising the necessary support structure for the said banned terror organisation and also for luring youth towards joining terror ranks.

The police added that the accused disclosed that the cash amount was handed over to three persons — Muhammad Maqbool Wani, Shakeel Ahmad Wani and Musaib Aziz Gojree — all residents of Pulwama district and alleged OGWs of the HM.

“They too were arrested subsequently and cash amounts recovered from four different pla-ces,” the police said. It, however, did not mention the amount involved.