A joint operation by the Army’s Rashtriya Rifles and Poonch police’s Special Operations Group (SOG) led to the arrest of an active associate of the banned terror outfit, Hizbul Mujahideen, in the Magnar area of Poonch district on July 30.
According to an army statement, the apprehended individual, identified as Mohammed Khalil, was found in possession of a foreign pistol. Investigations revealed an active WhatsApp number based in Pakistan, through which a handler was directing Khalil’s activities. Additionally, security forces recovered an AK-47 and two magazines during the operation, as confirmed by the Deputy Superintendent of Police (Operations) in Rajouri.
Khalil is currently in police custody, and further investigations are underway to uncover additional details. Authorities allege that Khalil was tasked with gathering information about the area and facilitating the movement of other terrorists.
Decline in Terror Incidents
In a separate development, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) provided data on terror-related incidents in Jammu and Kashmir. Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, in response to a query by BJP MP Pradeep Kumar Singh, informed the Lok Sabha that there has been a decrease in such incidents compared to previous years.
Statistics presented by the MHA indicate that a total of 28 people, including civilians and security personnel, lost their lives in 11 terror-initiated incidents and 24 counter-terror operations up to July 21, 2023. This figure compares to 44 fatalities (30 security personnel and 14 civilians) in 46 terror incidents and 48 counter-terror operations during the entire year of 2022.
Furthermore, the data reveals a significant decline in casualties since 2018. In that year, 146 people (91 security personnel and 55 civilians) were killed in 228 terror incidents and 189 counter-terror operations.