The Jammu and Kashmir police has in its tough campaign against alleged “hawala” racketeers arrested half-a-dozen persons, including a woman, from different parts of the Valley. The accused, the police claimed, are associated with Syed Ali Shah Geelani-led Hurriyat Conference faction and or were helping Lashkar-e-Tayyaba terror group.
Meanwhile, a red alert was sounded across Jammu and Kashmir on Monday following reports that militants particularly the Lashkar may carrying out a major terror strike in the run-up to the Republic Day. The militants, official sources said, may try to do something spectacular by using car bombs and improvised explosive devices, particularly in Srinagar or elsewhere in Kashmir Valley.
Militants onboard a tonga on Monday evening targeted a joint foot patrol of the CRPF and the local police in Sopore town. Though the fire was returned and the exchange continued for some time, no casualties were reported, the police said, adding a massive hunt for the militants was underway.
While the Lashkar is so far silent on the arrest of its alleged woman courier, Mr Geelani on Monday ridiculed the police claim of his close associates being involved in hawala transactions terming it as an “onslaught” against his associates and supporters.
“We are receiving financial support from our own people within Jammu and Kashmir who contribute to our organisation from their hard earnings. We, therefore, do not need to get our hands on hawala money,” he said in a statement here.