The Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Police announced on Saturday that they have made significant progress in solving several grenade attack cases in Poonch with the arrest of two terrorists affiliated with the Jammu and Kashmir Ghaznavi Force (JKGF). The suspects, identified as Abdul Aziz and Munawar Hussain from Hari village, were apprehended during a joint operation.
Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Anand Jain stated, “On Friday, we arrested two terrorists along with arms and ammunition. During thorough interrogation, it became evident that they were part of a larger conspiracy.”
Jain highlighted that there had been multiple grenade attacks over the past year targeting a temple, an army post, a gurdwara, and a hospital in Poonch, aimed at disrupting communal harmony. He emphasized that the arrests were crucial in uncovering a sinister plot to disturb peace within the community.
“With the arrest of these two individuals, we have resolved all grenade attack cases in Poonch from the past year. However, we are currently investigating funding sources and receiving information about their contacts across the Line of Control (LoC). This arrest is a significant success for our security forces,” Jain added.
The terrorists are locals working for the proscribed JKGF. The police are also actively targeting overground workers (OGWs) associated with terror networks, with ongoing operations to seize their properties in the Rajouri and Poonch districts.
During the operation, police, along with the 37 Rashtriya Rifles and the 38th Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), seized two hand grenades from Aziz. An additional grenade was recovered from his residence, and Hussain was found in possession of a pistol, a magazine, and nine rounds.
The investigation revealed that the suspects received four consignments of arms, ammunition, and ₹1.5 lakh from their handlers across the border. Aziz was implicated in several grenade attacks, including incidents at the Shiv temple in Surankote and the Gurdwara Mahant Sahib in Poonch. Hussain was responsible for a grenade attack near the district hospital quarters.
The duo was also involved in pasting anti-national posters at various locations, including government schools, under the direction of their handler, to instill fear among the public.
In a related case, another suspect from the same module, Mohammad Shabir, was arrested earlier with a significant quantity of explosives, which were reportedly supplied by Aziz.
This operation underscores the ongoing commitment of J&K Police to dismantle terrorist networks and maintain peace in the region.
