Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Tuesday claimed to have prevented five youngsters including two juveniles from joining militancy in Baramulla district of north Kashmir.

The five were counselled and handed over to parents, police said.

“Unearthing a major activity of terrorists to misguide the youth and entice them to join terrorist ranks, Baramulla police along with army 29 RR succeeded in rescuing five youths including two juveniles from joining terror ranks,” a police statement said.

Police said it was learnt that some youngsters were being enticed by handlers from Pakistan to join militant organizations.

“On receiving this input SFs (security forces) first traced these youth and they were subjected to sustained questioning with the help of their parents. On their disclosure it was learnt that these youth were in touch with terrorist handlers in Pakistan through social media to get recruited in terror outfits,” police statement said. “ Terror handlers were trying to radicalize the minds of these boys. These boys, all in their teenage, have now been handed over to parents after proper counseling.”

The statement said J&K Police and Indian Army are firm on their resolve to defeat all nefarious designs of the enemy to misguide and radicalize the youth of Kashmir.

Police have requested parents to keep vigil on activities of their children.

(With UNI inputs)