Set house on fire before exfiltration to fake death
*Was tasked to recruit local youth into terrorism
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Dec 12: The Border Security Force (BSF) has foiled an infiltration attempt along the International Border in Pargwal sector near Akhnoor by arresting a Pakistan-trained terrorist of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), hailing from Darhal in Rajouri district who had exfiltrated to Pakistan in November 2021. An MP5 rifle and ammunition have been recovered from his possession.
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The JeM terrorist, who crossed over to Pakistan occupied Jammu Kashmir (PoJK) using the Line of Control (LoC) in Nowshera sector of Rajouri district on November 13, 2021, has been identified as Abdul Khaliq, 41, son of late Noor Mohammad, a resident of Ujhan Magra in Darhal area of Rajouri district.
Sources said Khaliq reportedly set his house on fire just a couple of days before exfiltration and shifted to the home of his relatives at Rani Badesar, Chingus in Nowshera sector. Rani Badesar is close to the LoC. He receed the area for few days and succeeded in exfiltrating to PoJK from Nowshera sector, where he was already in touch with the JeM terrorists, including Pakistan and PoJK based commanders.
He set the house on fire to fake his death.
He underwent rigorous arms training at Samahni training camp of Jaish-e-Mohammed in PoJK for six months especially in handling all kind of assault rifles and grenades. He also interacted with top commanders of the outfit in different camps. Several other terrorists, mostly from Pakistan, were also being trained in the same camps.
After training, Abdul Khaliq was kept at Barnala, Chhamb camp where he was briefed on recruitment of local cadre in Rajouri and Poonch districts, radicalization of youth and targets.
“Khaliq reportedly infiltrated into this side using the International Border in Pargwal sector with a view to reach twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch to recruit local youth into Jaish-e-Mohammed network after radicalizing them and revive the indigenous terrorism,’’ the sources said.
However, they added, his attempt failed as he was nabbed by the BSF as soon as he infiltrated into this side from the International Border in Pargwal sector of Akhnoor belt. At the time of arrest, the BSF recovered one MP5 rifle, one magazine with 10 rounds and one drum magazine.
The weapon recovered from Khaliq was modified version of AK rifles, the sources said, adding the terrorist was handed over to Khour police station for further investigation and legal proceedings. He is being sent to the Joint Interrogation Centre for questioning to ascertain his involvement in terrorist activities and his motive of infiltration into Jammu and Kashmir.
The BSF has put troops on alert along the International Border from Jammu to Kathua sectors and has been conducting combing operations in the areas along the IB for the past fortnight as part of its winter management strategy.
“The BSF has been maintaining high alert all along the International Border in Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts to thwart intrusion bids by the terrorists from Pakistan as there have been reports that the terrorists could try to take advantage of foggy weather conditions which will prevail in the plains in the coming days for infiltration into this side,’’ the sources said.
Troops have already strengthened surveillance along the Line of Control (LoC) in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch to ensure that the terrorists don’t manage to infiltrate under the cover of fog and chill.
“Winter management strategy is in place along the LoC as well as IB and all infiltration attempts by the terrorists, if made, will be foiled,’’ the sources said.
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