Wednesday, July 27 2005 20:44 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Srinagar: A day after scuttling a Hizbul Mujahideen plan to trigger a massive explosion in the city, Jammu and Kashmir police today (July 27, 2005) arrested six top militants of the outfit and the Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen (JuM) involved in several civilian and political killings, a senior police officer said.

Describing the arrests as a major breakthrough, Deputy Inspector General of Police H K Lohia said two of the arrested ultras - Firdous Ahmad Bhat of Nowpora Chadoora and Shabir Ahmad Khan of Nowgam (both of HM)- were responsible for the recent killings in Srinagar and Badgam districts.

The duo were operating in different modules in Bagh-e-Mehtab, Chanapora, Natipora, Methan, Puhroo and Chadoora belts and were earlier commanded by Mohammad Yousuf Sheikh alias Doctor who was killed in an encounter by police last month, Lohia told reporters in Srinagar.

In another successful operation, he said police arrested four JuM militants, including self-styled financial chief Javid Ahmad Thoker alias Masterji of Lasjan in two separate operations in the city.

Thoker, alongwith Nissar Ahmad Khan of Chanapora, was arrested by police from Parimpora area of uptown Srinagar, Lohia said adding he was in constant touch with chief of the outfit based in Pakistan General Abdullah and used to receive financial assistance from across the border.

Khan was instrumental in carrying out the IED blast at Bemina recently.

Police had yesterday (July 26, 2005) seized a stolen Maruti car carrying 100 kgs of explosive and arrested its driver affiliated with Hizbul Mujahideen, foiling ultras plan to set off massive explosions in the city.