The Pulwama police have arrested three people connected to the Over Ground Worker (OGW) network of slain Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commanders Reyaz Ahmed Dar and Rayees Ahmed Dar. The arrests led to the recovery of two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) weighing 6 kilograms.
The arrests follow a joint operation on the night of June 2-3 in Nihama village, where armed forces killed LeT commander Reyaz Dar and his associate Rayees Dar. Following the operation, a substantial cache of arms and ammunition was recovered, including AK-47 rifles, rounds, pistols, and other incriminating materials, a police statement said.
Subsequently, an FIR No. 20/24 under sections 307 IPC, 7/27 Arms Act, and various sections of the UAPA was registered at Police Station Kakapora.
The investigation revealed that the militants had received support from the OGW network, comprising Bilal Ahmed Lone, Sajjad Ganie, and Shakir Bashir, all residents of Nihama. Their involvement in providing harbour, shelter, and logistics to the militants was uncovered, leading to their arrests.
Further inquiries revealed that the slain militants had prepared IEDs, which were later recovered from Shakir Bashir’s possession. The explosives, packed in a plastic container with an active circuit trigger mechanism, were hidden in orchards. The IEDs were safely destroyed in situ by the Pulwama police and army.
