Abid Bashir
Srinagar (NVI): Three newly recruited terrorists were caught alive after a brief exchange of firing in the dense woods of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, police said today.
The development comes just a day after gun-wielding pictures of the trio had gone viral on social media pushing the security agencies to launch a massive manhunt to nab the new militant recruits.
A police official said that the trio was zeroed in at Sogam forest area of the district this morning after a brief exchange of gunfire between them and the security forces.
“Acting on a specific lead, a joint cordon and search operation was launched early morning today in Sogam forest area after which trio who had recently joined militant ranks were arrested along with arms and ammunition,” he said. The official said that the three new recruits were cornered from all sides and caught alive.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kupwara, Shriram Ambarkar said that the three militants were apprehended in Sogam early this morning.
He said a search operation was launched in Sogam area and after a brief exchange of fire, the trio was caught alive.
He said arms and ammunition were also recovered from the possession of arrested militants. Police said that two of the three militants arrested belong to Lalpora area of Kupwara while the identity of third one was being ascertained.
“They are young and are being questioned as to how they joined militancy,” police sources said, adding that the trio is being quizzed and also counselled by the experts.
