A key accused, who was wanted in the recently busted terror module case in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district, was arrested in New Delhi, police said.

Police said the key accused in the case Riyaz Ahmed, a retired soldier, and a resident of a village close to the Line of Control in Kupwara district, was arrested on Sunday at New Delhi Railway station.

“He was involved in hatching conspiracy along with one Khursheed Ahmad Rather and Ghulam Sarwar Rather ( both arrested by J&K Police on January 27) in receiving arms and ammunition from across the LoC by the terrorist handlers,” police in Delhi said.

J&K Police and Army on January 27, arrested five Lashkar-e-Toiba militant associates who were allegedly involved in the smuggling of arms and ammunition in Kupwara district.

The module was being operated by two Pakistan-occupied Kashmir-based terrorist handlers Manzoor Ahmad Sheikh alias Shakoor of Gabra Karnah and Qazi Mohammad Khushal of Dhanni Karnah both at present operating from across the border.

Security forces also recovered five AK rifles (short), 5 AK Magazines, 16 short AK rounds from the five arrested militant associates.

In a statement, Police said on February 4 a specific information was received from investigation agencies in Jammu & Kashmir that Riyaz Rather , who is wanted in the recent terror module case busted by them, is absconding and would reach New Delhi Railway Station in the wee hours.

“Sensing the gravity of the matter, a police team led by Inspector Vishwanath Paswan SHO/NDRS, was immediately deployed at all the entry/exits and strategic points of New Delhi Railway Station. The alert staff acted promptly and identified Riyaz in the crowd and apprehended him, when he was trying to flee from Exit Gate no 1, of New Delhi Railway Station in the early morning hours,” police said.

The accused was subjected to intensive interrogation, and it was revealed that he along with his friend Altaf had boarded Mahakaushal Express from Jabalpur and reached Hazarat Nizamuddin railway station at about 3 PM on February 3.

“From there they took an auto and reached NDRS. Riyaz Rather was about to go to some other hideout. Riyaz is suspected of having received a consignment of arms and ammunition from Khursheed Ahmad Rather and Ghulam Sarwar Rather both already arrested by J&K Police. Accused Riyaz Ahmad and his friend Altaf have retired from Indian Army on 31.01.2023,” police said.

Police said one mobile phone and one SIM card had been recovered from his possession.

“Riyaz has been arrested under appropriate sections of law and Police Officials of the concerned Police Station of J&K have been informed for further necessary action at their end,” the statement said adding further investigation is continuing to unearth the whole conspiracy.

(With UNI inputs)