3 newly-recruited LeT militants arrested in Kupwara forest, weapons recovered

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kupwara Shriram Amberkar said that following specific information, a joint Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) was launched by police and 28 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) in forest area at Sogam in Kupwara. ''During the operation, three newly-recruited LeT militants were arrested,'' Mr Amberkar told reporters on Thursday.

Giving details, he said photograph of these three youth brandishing AK-47 rifles had gone viral on social media. ''The trio had also called their parents and informed them that they had joined militant ranks,'' he said, adding as soon as the police received this information, the families of the youth were contacted.

He said that the surveillance team of police was also directed to track them. ''On Thursday morning, we received information that they were spotted in the forest area of Sogam in Kupwara,'' he said, adding a CASO was immediately launched and the trio was arrested.

''Incriminating material, including arms and ammunition, were recovered from them,'' he said.

The SSP Kupwara said that timely operation by forces prevented these youth from becoming hardcore militants. ''A case has been registered against the arrested persons under relevant sections of the law,'' sources said.

A picture of the three youth brandishing AK-47 rifles was doing rounds on social media on Wednesday. In the past also, youth have uploaded their pictures with weapons on social media to announce their inclusion in militant ranks.