Srinagar: The State Investigation Agency of Jammu and Kashmir Police has secured an Interpol Red Corner notice against designated Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Imtiyaz Ahmad Kandoo in a 2013 terror case, officials said on Saturday.
They said this marks a significant milestone in the investigation into the terrorist attack at the Tarzoo area of Baramulla district, in which four police personnel were killed.
“In a breakthrough in its sustained counter-terrorism efforts, the SIA Kashmir has secured an Interpol Red Corner Notice against designated Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Imtiyaz Ahmad Kandoo alias Fayaz alias Sajad,” officials said.
Kandoo, a resident of Kraltang in Sopore, has been an active member and commander of the proscribed terrorist outfit since 2010. The Indian government designated him as a Designated Individual Terrorist in October 2022, they said.
Officials said the Red Corner Notice will facilitate international law enforcement agencies in locating and detaining Kandoo, and initiating legal proceedings for his extradition to India.
The case, which was initially registered at Tarzoo police station in Sopore, was transferred to the SIA Kashmir in 2024.
After meticulous collection and analysis of evidence, examination of witnesses, and reconstruction of the conspiracy, the SIA Kashmir successfully completed the investigation, added more offences on the basis of fresh evidence and filed a comprehensive chargesheet before the competent trial court in July 2024 against six accused persons, officials said.
Of the six, two accused — Tariq Ahmad Mir of Kalamabad in Handwara and Qayoom Najar of Batapora in Sopore — were killed in encounters with security forces.
Javid Ahmad Mattoo and Rouf Najar of Sopore, and Ahmadullah Malla of Dalal Mohalla in Srinagar have been arrested and are facing trial.
Kandoo, the sixth and the main accused, is absconding; he is believed to have exfiltrated to Pakistan, officials said.
The SIA Kashmir’s investigation conclusively established Kandoo’s active role in the Hygam terror attack and uncovered his involvement in a wider network of terrorist activities, they said.
Besides the present case, he is wanted in at least 10 more cases involving terrorist attacks, targeted killings resulting in the deaths of more than 15 persons, arms and ammunition smuggling, and narco-terror financing, officials said.
OGW detained in Anantnag
Police on Saturday detained an overground worker in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district after he was flagged by the facial recognition system, installed ahead of the annual Amarnath Yatra.
As part of the robust security arrangements for the ongoing Amarnath Yatra, the Facial Recognition System (FRS) deployed by Anantnag Police generated a timely alert at the X-Ray Point, Nunwan Base Camp, leading to the detention of one Over Ground Worker (OGW), a police spokesman said.
He said the individual was identified as Mohammad Iqbal Wani, a resident of Hajin, Bandipora district of north Kashmir.
Acting swiftly on the FRS alert, police personnel intercepted and verified the individual, during which he was confirmed to be an OGW, the spokesman said.
Wani has been detained for further legal proceedings and investigation, he added.
The successful interception highlights the effectiveness of advanced technology integrated into the multi-layered security grid established by Anantnag Police for the safe and secure conduct of the Yatra.
The deployment of the Facial Recognition System continues to strengthen real-time surveillance, enhance access control, and enable prompt response to potential security threats, the spokesman added.
