Three potential gun-snatchers arrested in Kashmir

Three youth, allegedly planning to snatch weapons from police and join the Hizbul Mujahideen terror outfit, were arrested in Pulwama district of south Kashmir on Monday, police said.

Mohammad Asif Khan, Adil Ahmad Najar and Saqib Nazir Bhat were taken into custody during a joint operation by police and Rashtriya Rifles in Awantipora area of south Kashmir Pulwama district, a police official said. He said police acted after receiving specific information that a group of youth are being motivated by Hizbul Mujahideen commander Zakir Rashid Bhat alias "Mosa" to snatch weapons from police and to join the banned terror group.

"During questioning, the trio confessed that they had hatched a conspiracy to snatch weapons from pickets set up by police for the protection of minority communities or police so that afterwards they could join militant ranks," the official said. He said a case under unlawful activities act has been registered against the arrested persons and investigations started.

Over the last three months, there have been a number of incidents in which weapons have been snatched from police personnel in Kashmir valley. At least 67 guns, including INSAS and Carbines, have been looted during this period.