SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Tuesday claimed to have arrested a group of five miscreants from Srinagar for hurling petrol bombs and threatening shopkeepers and locals in the city’s interiors.

Four other youth were also held from north Kashmir’s Baramulla on Monday night for torching three shops in the town on November 24.

The group of five was involved in hurling petrol bombs (Molotov cocktails) on vehicles of police and security forces in the areas of Sarafkadal, Bohrikadal, Rajourikadal, Khanyar and Nowhatta, said cops.

“They were also involved in intimidating and threatening of shopkeepers and other businessmen based in the old city, besides forcing minors to track the movement of police and security forces vehicles in the area,” a police spokesman said. A case under relevant sections has already been registered and further investigation in the matter is in progress.

On Monday night, the four Kashmiri youth were apprehended in connection with the torching of three shops in north Kashmir’s Baramulla town on November 24.

Following the attack, panicked shopkeepers in the area had kept their shops closed for many days. SSP Baramulla Abdul Qayoom confirmed that the arrests were made after an eight-day investigation, adding that the four have confessed to their involvement in the case, which is still being investigated. Incriminating evidence was also recovered from the accused.

