JAMMU, JULY 25: The J&K Police in a major breakthrough into the recent terror attack in Kathua district’s Badnota village near Machedi, on Thursday claimed to have arrested two over ground workers (OGWs) involved in “supporting terror related activities”.
Significantly, one of the arrested OGW happens to be a Hindu, with police spokesperson identifying him as Mool Raj @Jenju S/o Uttam Chand R/o Bowli Mohalla, in Kathua district’s Malhar tehsil.
The other arrested OGW is Layaqat Ali @Pawu S/o Gammi R/o Ward No. 07, Kalna Dhanu Parole in Kathua district’s Billawar tehsil.
These individuals were also found to have purposefully withheld crucial information by not disclosing it to police in time. “Both individuals deliberately chose not to disclose vital information to the police, thereby obstructing efforts to prevent terrorist actions,” spokesperson said.
A case FIR No. 18/2024 U/S 61(1),113,147,150/ BNS 2/3 EIMCO Act was registered at PS Malhar against them and further investigations are going on.
Their apprehension followed “meticulous investigation” by police in which an over 100 individuals have been questioned in connection with terror attack case and initiation of preventive measures against more than 40 individuals to mitigate further risks and disrupt any potential support systems for terrorist activities, the spokesperson said.
The arrest of these OGWs is a testament to our resolve. We urge the public to remain alert and report any suspicious activities to their nearest Police Station or Dial 100 or 9858034100, spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, sources said that sustained questioning of these two OGWs is likely to lead to more arrests of the persons involved in giving strategic and logistic support to the terrorists”.
Five security personnel, including four soldiers and a local policeman, were killed when terrorists ambushed an army vehicle in Badnota village, 150 away from Kathua town on July 10.
The Army and police have launched massive combing and search operations across Jammu division and deployed an over 4,000 soldiers, including the elite para commandos and those trained in mountain warfare to eradicate terrorism from the area.