Jammu: Police have busted a module of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch, arresting three out of seven identified members involved in receiving and distributing arms, ammunition, explosives, cash and narcotics dropped through drones from across the border, officials on Tuesday said.
Police issued a poster with a Rs 10 lakh award for the “mastermind” of the module, Mohmmad Qasim of LeT based in Pakistan.
“In a planned manner, Zone police and CIB have identified individuals involved in receiving arms, ammunition, IEDs and narcotics dropped through drones from across the border in Rajouri,” Director General of Police (DGP) R R Swain told reporters here.
“Cases were registered against them and their premises were searched. During the past 24 hours, ten places were searched and seven persons were identified. Three of them were already arrested,” he added.
The DGP said it was proven through evidence that they have received consignments of arms, ammunition, IEDs, cash and narcotics dropped through drones from Pakistan and distributed them further to forward linkages.
Both CID and police worked well in coordination and performed the best groundwork together to bust this module, he said.
Those arrested include notorious OGW in jail under UAPA, Talib Shah’s wife Gulshan Naaz, Imtiyaz Ahmed (both from Kotranka) and Abid Shah of Budhal area, he said, adding that they were involved in receiving material dropped from Pakistani drones.
“We have digital and electronic evidence against them. They were in touch with the mastermind in Pakistan. They have also distributed forward linkages. Forward linkages, to whom they distributed money, are also being investigated,” he said.
The money has come in lakhs and was distributed to several people in small amounts, Swain said, adding that they are categorized as over ground workers (OGWs).
The DGP said that their mastermind is Mohmmad Qasim alias Salman alias Sulliman of Mahore (Reasi) currently based in Pakistan.
“He is a LeT leader. He has been declared a designated terrorist by the Government of India. We have announced a Rs ten lakh award on Qasim. A poster has been released in this regard,” he said.
“Qasim is sending arms and explosive material, cash and narcotics, and is involved in networking in Rajouri and Poonch,” he said.
“He was involved in the blasts of a bus at Katra and Narwal in Jammu, the DGP said, adding he is involved in luring people, particularly youth, through VPN and PoIP networking.
“We appeal to youth not to fall into their trap and to report any suspicious activity,” he said.
Three ‘terror associates’ arrested in Sopore
Security forces on Tuesday arrested three “terrorist associates” from Sopore area of Baramulla district in north Kashmir, police said.
A pistol and other incriminating materials were recovered from their possession, a police spokesman said.
He said the security forces established a joint checkpoint and noticed three suspicious persons attempting to flee from the spot.
“However, the alert party apprehended them tactfully. They have been identified as Faisal Ahmad Kachroo, son of Farooq Ahmad Kachroo, resident of Baba Yousuf Sopore; Aquib Mehraj Kana, son of Mehraj din Kana, resident of Sangrama Sopore; and Adil Akber Gojree, son of Akbar Gojree, resident of Kushal Matoo Sopore. During search, a pistol, mobile phones and other incriminating materials were recovered from their possession,” the spokesman said.
A case under relevant sections of law has been registered against the trio.
Hideout busted in Poonch
Acting on a tip-off regarding the movement of some suspected people, the security forces busted a “terror hideout” Poonch district, officials on Tuesday said.
A joint operation was launched by the Special Operations Group (SOG), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Rashtriya Rifles in the forest area of Tavi and Upper Gursai in Mendhar sub-division, they said.
“The terror hideout was busted in a cave and some clothes and eatables were recovered. However, no arms and ammunition were found,” the officials said.
While the search operation in the district is still on, no arrests have been made so far, they said.
Meanwhile, in another incident, the locals at Trewa village near the International Border in Jammu’s Arnia sector reported the movement of a suspected Pakistani drone late Monday night, the officials said.
Following this, a search operation was conducted by the police and Border Security Force (BSF) personnel. However, no materials were recovered during the operation, they said.
