Plot To Kill Politicians Foiled In J-K

The Border Security Force yesterday claimed to have foiled a militant plan to kill political leaders of Jammu and Kashmir and destabilise the popular government in the state.

A BSF spokesman said here that an anti-tank weapon (ATW) of US make, which was smuggled in from across the border, was seized by the forces intelligence wing late Thursday night near the Army headquarters here.

The ATW has a range of 1000 meters and can be used against moving tanks, bullet-proof vehicles, strategic targets and bunkers and security pickets.

The spokesman said the ATW and its three shells, an AK assault rifle, five magazines with 335 rounds, silencer and 10 grenades, all of which were recovered by the BSF, belonged to the district commander of the banned Tehrek-ul-Mujahideen, Kupwara, and had been sent to Srinagar to kill political leaders and destabilise the popular government in the state.

The recovery of the arsenal from near the army headquarters here indicated that the militants were instructed by their leaders to target security installations, the spokesman said.

The recovery is the first of its kind in eight years of militancy in the valley.

The spokesman claimed the recovery had given a big jolt to the militants. The BSF during its operation was led by D.K. Tripathi, joint assistant director, BSF intelligence, who acted on a tip off and seized the arsenal from a militant hideout in the town. The BSF during its raid also recovered an 66-mm improved M-72, he said.