Rashtriya Rifle and SOG Nab Hizbul Mujahideen's Associate in Poonch

The Rashtriya Rifle unit and Poonch police's Special Operations Group detained a key Hizbul Mujahideen associate, Mohammed Khalil, in Poonch's Magnar area. Recovered items include a foreign pistol and an AK 47. Operations reveal the suspect’s link to a Pakistan-based handler.

In a coordinated effort, the Rashtriya Rifle unit of the Romeo Force and Poonch police's Special Operations Group (SOG) apprehended Mohammed Khalil, an active associate of the banned terrorist organization Hizbul Mujahideen, from the Magnar area in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch on July 30.

Officials disclosed the recovery of a foreign pistol and an active Pakistan-based WhatsApp number used by a handler to assign tasks to Khalil. Additionally, an AK 47 rifle and two magazines were seized during the operation, as reported by the Deputy Superintendent of Police (Operations) in Rajouri.

The accused is currently under police custody, with ongoing investigations for further leads. Assigned tasks included gathering local information and aiding terrorists in moving between locations. Meanwhile, data released by the Ministry of Home Affairs up to July 21 show a decline in the number of terror incidents in Jammu and Kashmir compared to previous years.

According to Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, responding to a BJP MP's query, 28 people were killed in 11 terror-initiated incidents and 24 counter-terror operations this year, compared to higher figures from previous years, demonstrating a downward trend in violence in the region.