Jammu, Aug 14 (UNI) Jammu Police have arrested four Jaish-e-Mohammed militants and their associates in a drive to root out the terrorist presence in Jammu.

Additional Director General of Police Jammu Zone Mukesh Singh on Saturday said that the militants were planning a collection of arms dropped by drones and supply to active terrorists of Jaish-e- Mohammed in Kashmir valley; planting a vehicle-based IED in Jammu before Independence Day and reconnaissance of important targets in other parts of the country.

He said that one Muntazir Manzoor alias Saifullah, son of Manzoor Ahmed Bhat of Prichoo, Pulwama, a member of militant Organization Jaish-e-Mohammed was the first to be arrested in this chain and from him, one pistol, one magazine, eight live rounds, and two Chinese hand grenades were recovered.

“His truck used for transporting weapons to the Kashmir valley was also seized,” said the top cop adding that subsequently three more Jaish militants were arrested and identified as Ijahar Khan alias Sonu Khan of Mirdan Mohalla Kandala Shamli (UP).

He disclosed that the Jaish commander in Pakistan by the name of Munazir alias Shahid had asked him to collect weapons from near Amritsar which would be dropped by a drone, said Mr Singh adding, “he was also asked by Jaish to do reconnaissance of Panipat oil refinery which he did and sent videos to Pakistan.”

The militant was then tasked to do the reconnaissance of Ayodhya Ram Janmabhoomi but was arrested before he could accomplish this task and identified as Touseef Ahmed Shah alias Showket and Adnan of Jeff, Shopian.

He was tasked by Jaish commander Shahid and another Jaish militants by the name Abrar in Pakistan to take up an accommodation in Jammu which he did. He was then asked to procure a second-hand motorcycle for causing an IED blast at Jammu, he said adding, “the IED for this purpose would be dropped by a drone. Touseef was arrested before he could complete this task.”

The ADGP said that Jahangir Ahmed Bhat of Bandzoo Pulwama has also been arrested in the case.

He was the fruit merchant from Kashmir who was constantly in touch with Shahid of Jaish in Pakistan and had introduced Ijahgar Khan to him and was further doing recruitment for Jaish in Kashmir valley and the rest of the country.

Further work on the remaining module is in progress, he said.

UNI