‘Hybrid terrorist’ arrested as terror module in J&K’s Kupwara

Security forces on Wednesday (September 9, 2026) busted a terror cell run by a former terrorist in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district, police said.

The Handwara police received reliable information about the activities of a former terrorist who was operating as a “hybrid terrorist” under the banned Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) module in the Handwara-Kupwara area, a spokeswoman said.

A “hybrid terrorist” refers to a radicalized non-listed individual who carries out a specific subversive or violent task assigned by his handlers and then returns to normal life.

Acting on information, security forces quickly launched an operation at an identified location in Handwara town, according to a police spokesperson.

After a thorough security exercise, the accused was apprehended and identified as Manzoor Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Kruhmur Handwar, said. A Chinese pistol, two magazines and 16 pistol rounds were recovered from his possession, he said.

According to the spokesperson, Bhat is a former terrorist who has been arrested in two cases before.

A fresh case has been registered against him at the Handwara police station and investigations are on to find out the full extent of the module, its network and other related activities, police said.

Published – September 9, 2026 1:05 PM IST