Hizbul Mujahideen militant arrested in north Kashmir

A Hizbul Mujahideen militant was today arrested from Pattan area of north Kashmir's Baramulla district, police said.

"On a specific input, police, with the assistance of the 54 Battalion CRPF and 29 RR, arrested a Pakistan trained militant at Chinar Colony Pattan," they said.

The arrested militant was identified as Nisar Ahmad Rather alias Abu Kamal, a resident of Check Badrinath in south Kashmir's Pulwama district.

One Chinese pistol along with one magazine, five rounds of live ammunition and two Chinese hand grenades were recovered from Rather's possession.

A case under relevant section of J&K Arms Act has been registered against the militants.

Rather had crossed over to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in 1999 and had recently infiltrated back.

He had been operating in Beerwah, Pakherpora, Kreeri, Pattan areas of north and central Kashmir for some time now.

Police described Rather's arrest as a major success.

"It will lead police to know about the group activities in the area, their future plans and strategy and their role in the recent killings in the district," police added.