5 including three from Budgam arrested in Narco-Terrorism links in Delhi

Delhi Dec, 07 (PTK) The Special Cell of Delhi Police on Monday arrested five suspected militants after an encounter with the police in Delhi’s Shakarpur area.

Initial probe suggests that the five, two from Punjab and three from Jammu and Kashmir, have links to Khalistan and Islamic militant organisations.

Speaking to media, DCP Special Cell Pramod Kushwaha said, “There are two components of this matter. One component is from Kashmir, other is of Punjab gangsters. The Punjab gangster component is involved in target killing and the Kashmir component is involved in drugs they sell drugs and indulge in terror financing.”

“Five people were apprehended following an encounter in Delhi. Two of them are from Punjab, three from Kashmir. Their arrest shows how ISI is trying to link Khalistan movement with militants in Kashmir,” the DCP added.

“The three Kashmiris who were arrested can be called Over Ground Workers of Hizbul Mujahideen. They have a set up in Pakistan and their counterparts in PoK. ISI is acting as glue between the two movements and trying to link the two terror findings,” DCP Special Cell Pramod Kushwaha told media on Monday.

The Delhi Police claimed that two of the five arrested were involved in the murder of Shaurya Chakra awardee Balwinder Singh Bhikhiwind, who was shot dead by motorcycle-borne assailants at his residence in Bhikhiwind in Punjab’s Tarn Taran.

“Two of the five people were involved in the murder of Balwinder Singh in October — Gurjeet Singh Bhura and Sukhdeep,” the DCP Special Cell of Delhi Police said.

“This case is being investigated by Punjab Police. They have confessed that the weapons seized today are the same that were used then (for the murder). But this is a matter of investigation,” DCP Special Cell, Delhi Police said.

The DCP said gangsters are being used for target killings in Punjab. “It serves two purposes – creating communal disharmony and demoralising people who stand against militancy.”

The Delhi Police official added that the two are linked to one Sukhmeet, who is Gulf-based, and other gangsters. “These are gangsters and have linkages to Pakistan-based ISI operatives,” DCP Pramod Kushwaha said.

The Delhi Police added that following the encounter, arms and ammunition were recovered and banned drugs were also seized from the possession of the accused.

“Three pistols, 2 kg of heroin and Rs 1 lakh in cash have been recovered from their possession,” DCP Special Cell Pramod Kushwaha said.

The officer added that the case has no connection with the ongoing protests at Delhi borders.

He identified three Kashmiris as Riyaz Ahmad Rather, Ayub Pathan and Shabir Ahmad from Budgam(PTK)