Srinagar, April 07: Police on Thrusday claimed to have arrested a militant associate of outfit Lashkar-i-Toiba in Kreeri area of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

In statement,  the police said that today, joint forces received specific information through reliable sources regarding movement of militants in the general area of Dolipora Kreeri. Reacting on the information joint parties of Baramulla Police, Army 29 RR and 2nd Bn SSB established an MVCP at Dolipora Morh.

One suspicious person, who was coming towards Dolipora, upon seeing the MVCP party tried to flee from the spot was apprehended after a brief chase.

The police spokesman identified him as Iqbal Mir son of Gh Nabi Mir resident of Mungam Wagoora. During search of the individual, arms & ammunition were recovered from his possession which includes 01 – AK magazine, 20 – live rounds of AK, 02 – UBGL grenades and 02 – detonators which were being carried in a bag.

During preliminary investigation, it was found that he is a close associate of an active militant Hilal Sheikh @Hanzulla R/O Shrakwara Kreeri affiliated with militant organization LeT & he is also in contact with a Pakistani militant Usman, they said.

Case under sections of Indian Arms Act and UA (P) Act stands registered against him in Police Station Kreeri and investigation has been set in motion, they said.

A major militant plot has been avoided due to the apprehension of this militant associate, reads the statement.