Pulwama, Apr 21: Police on Saturday claimed to have achieved a major break through by arresting the Divisional Commander of Hizbul-Mujahideen, a master mind in the Bijbehara car blast.
 Addressing a news conference in this south Kashmir district, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, S M Sahai said, “On a specific tip off about the movement of militants in the Litter area of the district a police party laid a nakka at Ladermad on late Friday evening. An Alto (No. JK03A- 3804) coming from Kulpora village was intercepted by the party and the passengers were asked to come out.”
 He said though driver of the vehicle followed the order but the other passenger tried to escape from the spot but was nabbed by the police.
 “The detained person was identified as Latif Ahmad Dar alias Masood Saini of Panzgama the Divisional Commander of Hizb,” the IGP said.
 He said Latif was active in the Awantipora area for past four years and was involved in many militancy related activities including Bijbehara car blast in which one person was killed and 21 others sustained injuries last month.
 Pertinently, Police had arrested a civil engineer, Muddasir Ahmad of Awantipora and had had claimed that killed person Muhammad Abbass was carrying the explosive. Police had  also claimed that two others were involved in the Bijbehara car blast case.
 “Latif was also involved in the killing of a released militant Showkat Ahmad Rather and was intimidating several Panchs and Sarpanchs,” the IGP claimed. 
 Terming Latif’s arrest a “major success,” the IGP said, “On his instance more than 100 Kgs of RDX and detonators were recovered from Gulzarpora village of Awantipora. Several mobile plates used for IED, pistols, AK-47 and grenades were also recovered from him,” he added.
 Pertinently, Lateef is the brother of slain HM commander Rayees Ahmad Dar alias Kachoo killed by the forces during 2008 Assembly elections.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 21 Apr 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 21 Apr 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 22 Apr 2012 00:00:00 IST