*Four OGWs arrested in Kashmir*

Srinagar, Feb 23: Security forces arrested four over-ground workers in two different operations in Kashmir on Wednesday, officials said.

Two OGWs of “The Resistance Front” militant group were arrested in Baramulla district after police learnt that an unknown militant group was trying to disturb law and order.

The security forces intercepted a two-wheeler on the Zehanpora-Khadniyar link road. Its two occupants tried to escape but were caught with 40 rounds of AK-47, a police statement said.

They identified themselves as Imtiyaz Ahmad Bardal and Muneer Ahmad of Khachadari Zehanpora.

“Both confessed that they are working for TRF and help to carry illegal arms and ammunition from one place to another to carry out attacks on police and security forces,” it added.

In a separate operation two OGWs of Lashkar-e-Toiba were arrested in south Kashmir’s Shopian district.

Srinagar based defense spokesman Col Emron Musavi said the two were arrested in a deliberately planned and swiftly executed joint operation.

“On the intervening night of February 22-23, based on specific intelligence of presence of war like stores in villages Awaneera and Shed Chak of Shopian, Army and JKP apprehended two hardcore terrorist associates/ OGWs affiliated with LeT,” the spokesman said.

“The OGWs were identified by Police as Amir Amin alias Umar and Aqib Mustaq Lone, both residents of Awaneera - Shed Chak area. Based on detailed investigation and questioning by the police, one AK rifle and one magazine with 24 rounds of AK ammunition were recovered from a nearby orchard,” he said.

Col Musavi said the recovery of the weapon came as a follow up of a joint operation in Chermarg village on February 19, in which a hardcore LeT militant Abdul Qayoom Dar of Pulwama was eliminated, he added. Two soldiers were also killed in that operation.