New Delhi, January 4: Javed Ahmed Mattoo, a wanted terrorist of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen in Jammu and Kashmir, was caught in Delhi on Thursday. In coordination with central agencies, a team of the Special Cell of Delhi Police arrested Mattoo.
His arrest came after a team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had launched a search operation for him, the police said. The police team recovered a pistol, six live cartridges and a stolen car from Mattoo.
Who is Mattoo?
Mattoo, a resident of Jammu and Kashmir's Sopore district, was involved in five grenade attacks in the union territory. He was wanted in 11 terror attacks in J&K and was among the top 10 targets in the Valley on the list of security agencies. He was carrying a reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head.
Mattoo is one of the last surviving A++ designated terrorists from Jammu and Kashmir.
Recently, the Delhi Police received information that Mattoo would be coming to Delhi-NCR to collect arms and ammunition. Acting on the tip-off, sources keeping tabs on sleeper cells and weapon suppliers were activated. The police was also informed that Mattoo's Pakistan-based handler would be coordinating the delivery of arms and ammunition, and he would carry out terror strikes in Jammu and Kashmir.
Mattoo is a resident of Sopore and has been to Pakistan many times.
In August last year, a video of Mattoo's brother Rayees hoisting the national flag at his residence in Jammu and Kashmir’s Sopore went viral on social media. “I waved the Tiranga from my heart. There was no pressure from anyone...Saare jahaan se achha Hindustan humara, hum bulbule hain iske ye gulistan hamara,” he told the media.
Speaking about his brother, Rayees had said, “My brother became one (a terrorist) in 2009, we don't know anything about him after that...If he is alive, I urge him to come back...The situation has changed, Pakistan can't do anything...Hum Hindustani the, hain aur rahenge.”