Srinagar, Apr 28: Security forces have arrested two militants from downtown Srinagar and suspect one of them to be al Umar Mujahideen militant outfit's "chief operations commander", a defence spokesman said here today. Following specific information, the army arrested the duo from Maharajganj area of the city last evening and recovered arms and ammunition from them, the spokesman said. The militants have been identified as Farooq Ahmed Sofi and Nazeer Ahmed Khan. Sofi is suspected to be the "chief operations commander" of al Umar who took over militancy operations in the valley after the killing of Rafeeq Ahmed Lidari earlier this year. The spokesman said arms and ammunition recovered included a pistol, two handgrenades, 100 detonators, 15 AK ammunition rounds, two RPG boosters and one UBGL grenade.
The duo have been handed over to police, he said.

Bureau Report