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.
