Srinagar/IBNS/UNI: Security forces arrested a militant associate of Lashkar-e-Taiba in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla district, police said on Tuesday.

A militant hideout was also busted in Jammu and Kashmir Bandipora district on Tuesday.

Police said the LeT associate was arrested by a joint team of forces in the Pattan area of the Baramulla district.

They said on a specific input of militant movement in the Pattan area, a joint Naka was established at Chinar Crossing Pattan by Baramulla Police, 2nd Battalion of SSB & Army's 29 Rashtriya Rifles.

“During naka checking suspicious movement of one person coming towards naka point by foot was observed. While seeing police party and security forces, the suspect person tried to flee from the spot but the alert naka party apprehended him tactfully,” a police statement said.

During preliminary questioning, he was identified as Mehraj ud din Bhat, a resident of Mundyari Pattan.

“During his search one live hand grenade was recovered from his possession,” police said

A case under sections UA (P) & Arms Act has been registered in Police Station Pattan and an investigation has been taken up.

Meanwhile, security forces busted a militant hideout in Jammu and Kashmir Bandipora district.

Police said the hideout was busted in a joint operation of Bandipora Police, Army’s 14 RR, and 3rd Battalion of CRPF, following a specific input.

“A terrorist hideout was busted in the orchards of general area Ayathmullah Bandipora. The recoveries included one Under Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL), seven UBGL grenades, 95 rounds of ammunition and one bag. Some of the items are old and rusted,” police said.