Major interstate terror module, hideouts busted
Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Apr 7: Police busted a major interstate Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) module and arrested five people, including top LeT commander Abdullah alias Abu Hureira who was on the run for the last 16 years and had developed an interstate terror network.
An official said that over the few days, security forces searched 19 locations, including in Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan and Haryana, and recovered a large quantity of weapons including four AK assault rifles and incriminating material.
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The probe, also involving central agencies, unearthed a massive network that provided logistics and financial support to the LeT terrorists.
The official said that top LeT commander Abdullah alias Abu Hureira and his associate Usman alias Khubaib, both Pakistani nationals and three Srinagar residents were among the five arrested.
He said that Mohammad Naqeeb Bhat, Adil Rashid Bhat and Ghulam Mohammad Mir alias Mama were arrested for allegedly providing logistical support, including shelter and food to the terrorists.
The official said that two LeT commanders are categorized ‘A+’ and involved in creating the LeT network in Jammu and Kashmir as well as in other states on the basis of forged documents and identity.
The terrorists, the official said, infiltrated into Kashmir about 16 years ago during which they remained active in various districts of Kashmir. “Over the years, they handled and commanded about 40 foreign terrorists and most of these have been killed by security forces”, he added.
Describing the network as “deep-rooted”, the official said it also involved providing hideouts and financial support to the LeT terrorists. “The investigation has also unveiled the funding and financial pattern of LeT”, he asserted.
More arrests could be in the offing with investigation in progress to identify additional associates, financiers, facilitators, safe houses and inter-state linkages.
“Incriminating material has been seized from several hideouts in various parts of Srinagar and other cities. These include three AK-47 rifles, one AK-Krinkov rifle, pistols, hand grenades, electronic equipment and gadgets,” the official said.
Besides, forged documents with addresses located in other states have also been recovered from Abdullah and Usman, indicating the use of false identities and possible facilitation channels outside Jammu and Kashmir.
The elaborate network began to unravel on March 31 when the first of the three Srinagar residents were caught. Naqeeb Bhat from Pandach area was arrested along with a pistol and other incriminating material.
He said during his questioning that he was part of the LeT and procured the arms and ammunition from another associate, Adil Rashid of Zakoora. “He also provided support to foreign terrorists”.
From Bhat, police were led to Mir and Rashid Bhat, both active associates in Srinagar. The official said the probe indicates that a foreign terrorist managed to travel outside the country on the basis of forged documents and identity with the help of the LeT network in other states.
During investigation, at the instance of apprehended foreign terrorists, various hideouts were also busted in forested areas in and around Srinagar.
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