Pulwama man held with grenade, posters calling I-Day 'black day'
Security forces in south Kashmir's Pulwama district arrested a local man on Monday after recovering a live grenade and posters that describe August 15 and August 5 as 'black day'. The posters also refer to August 14 as 'Youm-e-Azadi', officials said.
The accused has been identified as Tousef Ahmad Dar, a resident of Drabgam Payeen in Pulwama. He was apprehended near Fruit Mandi on Pachar Road after he allegedly attempted to flee from a checkpoint.
According to officials, a joint team of Pulwama Police, the Army's 44 Rashtriya Rifles and the CRPF's 183 Battalion had set up a checkpoint. 'During checking, a suspicious person coming from Drabgam towards Pachar tried to flee on seeing the checkpoint. The alert party chased and apprehended him,' an official said.
One hand grenade, three posters and a mobile phone were recovered from his possession. The posters described August 15, India's Independence Day, and August 5, the day the central government revoked Jammu and Kashmir's special status, as 'black day'. Another poster urged people to observe August 14, Pakistan's Independence Day, as 'Youm-e-Azadi'.
Police have registered a First Information Report under Sections 7 and 25 of the Arms Act and Sections 13, 18, 23 and 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. 'Investigation has been taken up to ascertain the source of the recovered material and identify any further linkages,' officials said.
A police spokesman said the Pulwama Police, in coordination with the Army and CRPF, will continue to take firm action against individuals involved in anti-national and unlawful activities.
The arrest comes amid heightened security in south Kashmir following two separate targeted killings since July 22, in which two non-local labourers and one policeman were killed. Several areas in neighbouring Kulgam district, where the non-locals were killed, remain under close surveillance by security forces.
