Srinagar: Six militant associates of Jaish-e-Mohammad were arrested in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district and a huge cache of arms and ammunition were recovered from them, police said on Friday.

They said the accused were trying to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere in Kulgam by way of carrying grenade attacks, intimidating innocent civilians, and standoff fire attacks on Panchayati Raj Institution members and minority communities.

The arrests were made by police and Army in a joint operation.

“On the basis of specific information regarding carrying out of subversive activities in Mirhama and Damhal Hanjipora area of district Kulgam a major breakthrough was achieved by the arrest of six terrorist associates in joint operation of Kulgam police and Nine RR,” police said.

Those arrested were identified as Shahid Ahmad Padder, Ubaid Ahmad Itoo, Danish Ahmad Dar, Nawaz Ahmad Ganie, Aabid Mushtaq and Kifayat Ahmad Lone- all residents of various villages in Kulgam .

They said a huge cache of arms and ammunition were recovered on the instance of the accused.

The seizure included a pistol, a pistol magazine, eight pistol rounds, a hand grenade, four UBGL shell, 30 round of AK 47, 446 rounds of M4, eight magazines of M4, one each magazine of AK 47 and Insas, a wireless set and four number of walkie- talkies, police said.

“During preliminary investigation it surfaced that the terrorists were affiliated with the proscribed terror outfit JeM and were in touch with terror handlers across via various social media platforms. The arrested accused were hell bent to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere in district Kulgam by way of carrying grenade attacks, intimidating innocent civilians, standoff fire attacks on PRI members, minority communities among others,” the police said.

Police said a case under relevant sections of law has been registered in Police Station DH Pora Kulgam and further investigation of the case is in progress to expose the broader conspiracy.

(With UNI inputs)