Security forces arrested two “hybrid” militants of Lashkar-e-Taiba in Jammu and Kashmir’s Shopian district, officials said on Thursday.
They said the two were arrested by a joint team of the Special Operation Group of J&K Police in Shopian, Army’s 44 Rashtriya Rifles and 178 battalion CRPF during a cordon and a search operation in the Baskuchan Imam Sahib area following an input about a militant movement.
“The area was effectively cordoned, and movement of terrorists was observed in a nearby orchard. Swift and strategic action by the forces led to the successful apprehension of two LeT hybrid terrorists-Irfan Bashir and Uzair Salam,” officials said, adding that arms and ammunition were recovered from the arrested duo.
The “hybrid terrorists” is a term coined by J&K police for the militants who slip back into normal lives and have no police records.
The recovery included two AK-56 rifles, four magazines, 102 rounds (7.62?39mm), and two hand grenades.
Officials said an FIR has been registered under relevant sections, and an investigation is underway.
The arrest comes on a day when Union Home Minister Amit Shah is arriving on a two-day visit to Jammu. Security has been beefed up across J&K ahead of the Union Home Minister’s arrival.
