On Monday (12th August), Jammu and Kashmir Police busted a terror module behind the recent infiltration that has resulted in increased terrorist activities and terrorist movements in the Jammu region, officials said.
Police have described it as a breakthrough in counter-terrorism efforts after recent attacks on security forces in Jammu & Kashmir. A police spokesperson said, “A significant breakthrough has been achieved in the ongoing efforts of the J&K Police to counter terrorist activities and disrupt terror network.”
Subsequent to successful operation in Gandoh resulting in the killing of three foreign terrorists and on the basis of intelligence leads provided by central agencies followed by investigation by police, a module, apparently the main one, behind the recent infiltration that has…
— ANI (@ANI) August 13, 2024
The J&K Police added that it has arrested kingpin Mohd Lateef alias Haji Lateef and 8 other over-ground workers of terrorists who played crucial roles in receiving the foreign terrorists after their illegal and surreptitious entry into India in the Samba-Kathua sector.
The police has described Lateef as the kingpin of the module adding that he acted as a guide and arranged logistics for foreign terrorists coming across the border.
The Police spokesperson said, “The kingpin of the module, Lateef, was in active communication with terrorist handlers across the border and played a crucial role in receiving foreign terrorists who illegally entered India via the Samba-Kathua sector.”
While the kingpin has been identified to be Mohd Lateef alias Haji Lateef, 8 other members of the module have been taken into custody as enemy agents – Akhter Ali, Saddam, Kushal, Noorani, Maqbool, Liaquat, Kasim Din, Khadim: J&K Police
— ANI (@ANI) August 13, 2024
The eight other over-ground workers of the terrorists arrested in this operation were identified as Akhter Ali, Saddam, Kushal, Noorani, Maqbool, Liaquat, Kasim Din, Khadim. Out of them, Saddam, Khadim and Kushal are brothers.
It is pertinent to note that the Jammu region has been witnessing back-to-back terror attacks since June this year. As part of counter-terror operations, three foreign terrorists were killed in a successful operation in the Gandoh area of Doda district. The three Pakistani terrorists were responsible for attacks on security forces and they were neutralised on 26th June.
According to the J&K Police, they have busted this terror module, intelligence leads provided by central agencies which was followed by an investigation by police. The module was behind the recent infiltration that has resulted in increased terrorist activities and terrorist movements in the upper reaches of Doda, Udhampur, and Kathua.
Briefing about the module, the J&K Police stated that the module provided initial shelter, food, and other logistics to the foreign terrorists. It was also responsible for guiding them to the upper reaches of the mountains and jungles of Udhampur-Kathua-Doda districts around Kailash mountain, which is at the centre of the tri-junction of these three districts.
They added that the members of the module have confirmed that the three terrorists killed at the Gandoh encounter had taken the help of the module in hiding and travelling without being detected until they reached the upper reaches.
Police said that more than 50 people living in temporary ‘dhoks’ (shelters) used by nomads in mountainous areas have been investigated for coming in contact with foreign terrorists, providing them food, shelter, or help with communication.
The officials said, “Only a few did not report (contact with militants) to the police, and some had accepted money from the terrorists.” They added that those who informed on time are “being treated as innocent”. However, the liability of others is being examined.
Recent terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir
At least 11 security personnel, a village defense guard, and 10 civilians have been killed in various terror attacks in Jammu region this year. Last month, nine soldiers, including an Army Captain, died in terror attacks in Doda and Kathua districts in the Jammu region.
The security forces neutralised five terrorists in two separate encounters in Kathua’s Saida village and Doda’s Gandoh area on the intervening night of June 11-12 and June 26 afternoon, respectively. According to police, they had been moving in the upper reaches of Doda, Udhampur and Kathua districts. The security forces had launched massive combing operations from all sides to trap them.
Additionally, Police have also released sketches of over half a dozen terrorists. It has also announced a cash reward of Rs 5 lakh each for information that could lead to their capture or killing.
Earlier, on 25th July, Police arrested two terror operatives of Jaish-e-Mohammad outfit. According to the Police, they had provided food and hotspot connection to the terrorists who ambushed an army convoy in Kathua’s Badnota village on 8th July. They were identified as Layaqat Ali alias Pawu and Mool Raj alias Jenju.
Intel agencies strongly suspect that 50 to 60 hardcore foreign terrorists, including some former Pak army regulars from Special Service Group have a presence in the hilly districts of the Jammu region including in Rajouri, Poonch, Doda, Kathua, Reasi and Udhampur.
To eliminate them, the army has deployed over 3,000 soldiers, including 500 elite para commandos, and those trained in mountain warfare.
