Security forces in Kashmir have arrested a self-styled commander of Hizbul Muhjahideen in Anantnag district of south Kashmir. "Mubarak Ahmad Wani alias Major Saqib, divisional commander of Hizbul Mujahideen, was arrested based on specific intelligence in a joint operation on Saturday," an army spokesperson said.
According to army, Wani was a released militant who was recycled into militancy in 2013. Wani has served two jail terms before an AK rifle, a pistol and some ammunition were recovered from his possession, the spokesperson said.
The army said that Wani had joined militancy in 2001 when he had crossed the Line of Control (LoC) to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) to get arms training, he later returned in 2007 and was subsequently arrested the same year.
After serving a two-year detention, Wani was released and rejoined the militant ranks in 2010. He was again arrested the same year and released the next year.