Saroori, Gazi’s premises also searched
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 9: A day after raids against terror ecosystem in Doda, police today conducted searches at 26 houses, including that of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Mohammad Amin Bhat alias “Jehangir Saroori”, in Kishtwar district.
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Besides Bhat, the raids were also carried out at the residences of Nayeem Ahmed alias Amir Gazi son of Ghulam Nabi Gundan, a resident of Near Jamia Masjid, Kishtwar, Mohammad Iqbal alias Bilal son of Mohammad Akber Butt R/o Near Kitchloo Market, Shahnawaz alias Nayeem son of Ghulam Mohammad of Chirool and Muzaffer Ahmed son of Abdul Ahmed Dev of Semna Colony among others.
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“Multiple police teams were deployed simultaneously across Kishtwar, Chatroo, Dachhan and Atholi targeting hideouts and residential premises of terrorists and their associates,” the police officials said.
“The raids were aimed at disrupting the local support network for cross-border terrorists, gathering actionable intelligence related to anti-national activities, and sending a strong deterrent message to individuals or groups engaged in supporting or sheltering such elements,” they said.
During the searches, they added, police teams examined targeted premises for electronic devices, documents, and other material evidence linked to terror financing, radicalization, and cross-border communication.
“Police remains firmly committed to ensuring the peace, stability, and security of the district. Any person found involved in aiding or harboring terrorists will face strict legal action,” the officials said, reiterating the force’s zero-tolerance stance against terrorism.
The terrorists whose houses were searched during the day today in different parts of Kishtwar district are operating from Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu Kashmir (PoJK), and facilitating smuggling of arms and ammunition from across the border.
The raids in Kishtwar came a day after similar searches were conducted at 15 locations in nearby Doda district.
The properties raided include Jehangir Saroori’s house, who had joined the proscribed terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen in the 1990s and is considered the longest surviving terrorist.
As per the officials, the coordinated surprise raids on multiple locations were carried out on the directions of senior police officers.
They said the operation forms part of a sustained counter-terror strategy aimed at dismantling terrorist infrastructure, Over Ground Workers (OGWs) network and severing logistical support channels to anti-national elements.
“The terrorists from the district operating from Pakistan and PoJK have constantly been under radar of security agencies as there were reports that they were trying to radicalize the youth through different modes of communication and luring them into terrorism especially performing the task of Over Ground Workers (OGWs). The terror operatives are running short of the cadre,” the officials said.
There have been reports of presence of some foreign terrorists in the upper reaches of Kishtwar, Doda, Udhampur, Kathua, Rajouri and Poonch districts who keep on changing hideouts in the hills. Few days back, a top commander of the terrorists was killed in Basantgarh. These terrorists are reportedly getting help from Doda and Kishtwar terrorists operating from Pakistan and PoJK as they are well versed with topography of the areas.
Sources said 39 terrorists from Doda and Kishtwar had exfiltrated to Pakistan and PoJK long back. While some of them have settled there, others have taken to terrorism and are engaged in assisting Pakistan army, ISI and terror commanders of different outfits. Few of them are also engaged in training the Pakistani terrorists.
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