The police have arrested one person and identified the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen militants behind the abduction and killing of an on-vacation Army jawan in Shopian on November 25.
A police spokesman on Wednesday said one of the “co-conspirators”, identified as Muzamil, has been arrested during the raids.
“Muzamil, along with three Hizb-ul-Mujahideen militants, including Commander Saddam Padder, was involved in the abduction and killing of the jawan,” said the police.
The bullet-ridden body of sepoy Irfan Dar, who was working with the Army’s 175 Territorial Army, was recovered from the Wuthmula village, Shopian, on November 25. He was on a vacation when he was kidnapped and shot dead.
The police said Muzamil, a resident of Shirmal, “hatched the criminal conspiracy to kill Dar”.
On November 24, the accused visited the native village of Dar and took him to Wuthmula. The militants were already present in a nearby orchard and fired at Dar that resulted in his instant death, according to the police investigation.
Besides Paddar, the militants — identified as Bilal Mohammad, Touseef and one newly-recruited unidentified militant — were present at the spot.
“On the basis of evidence, the entire chain of conspiracy has been busted. The look-out for other three militants is on and necessary legal proceedings are in progress to complete the investigation,” said the police.
Two Army men, including a Junior Commissioner Officer, and a Border Security Force (BSF) jawan were killed by militants, when they were off duty, in the Valley this year.
Civilians injured
Meanwhile, at least five civilians were injured as clashes broke out between youths and the Army in Bandipora’s Hajin during an anti-militancy operation. Clashes broke out when the Army’s 13RR and the police were patrolling Syed Mohalla, Parray Mohallah and Bon Mohallah.
