The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) conducted simultaneous raids at the residences of eight terrorists in Kishtwar and Ramban districts, who have been identified as operating from Pakistan and Pakistan occupied/administered Jammu Kashmir (PoJK/PaJK). The Union Home Ministry is expected to approach Interpol to initiate action against approximately 250 militants, primarily from three districts in the Jammu region.
According to officials, the police and intelligence agencies have identified these terrorists hailing from Kishtwar, Doda, and Ramban districts. These individuals, after exfiltrating to Pakistan and PoJK, have been operating from there, attempting to mobilize local youth and revive militancy in the three districts through acts of terror.
The officials disclosed that out of the identified militants, the highest number, 118, are from Doda district, followed by 96 from Ramban district and 36 from Kishtwar district. However, it was clarified that not all of them are currently active, as some have married local women and are engaged in small businesses or labor work. Additionally, a few others have passed away. Nonetheless, a significant number of these militants remain active and are making efforts to mobilize local youth in the three districts with the assistance of their existing contacts to revive militancy.
The officials stated that the Interpol will be approached to issue Red Corner Notices only against those active terrorists who are attempting to revive militancy. These individuals are associated with militant outfits such as Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Hizbul Mujahideen, and other similar groups. The intelligence agencies have also identified their tentative locations in Pakistan and PoJK.
Regarding the attachment of their properties, the officials mentioned that during the raids on the terrorists’ residences and subsequent investigations, it was discovered that most of them did not possess properties registered in their own names. Instead, the properties were registered in the names of their parents or elder brothers. However, in one case, a piece of land was found to be owned by a terrorist, and it was duly attached after completing the necessary legal procedures.
The police and intelligence agencies have compiled detailed dossiers for all 250 militants, including their addresses in J&K as well as likely operational locations in Pakistan and PoJK. These dossiers have been submitted to the Union Home Ministry, which intends to approach Interpol for the issuance of Red Corner Notices. This would facilitate the arrest and subsequent repatriation of these individuals.
The SIUs, under the supervision of SSP Kishtwar Khalil Poswal and DySP Vishal Sharma, conducted raids on the houses of eight Pakistan-based terrorists in Kishtwar and Ramban districts. The raids aimed to disrupt their attempts to revive militancy in the Doda region. The locations targeted for the searches included Padder, Keshwan, Thakrai in Kishtwar, and Khari and Banihal in Ramban.
The police revealed that search warrants were obtained from a special NIA court in Jammu, citing a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The objective of these searches was to identify various over-ground workers and supporters of militancy, with the aim of dismantling the militant ecosystem in the district.
Earlier this month, SIU teams raided the houses of five terrorists currently operating from Pakistan and PoJK, as well as three individuals suspected of involvement in anti-national activities, in Kishtwar district. The evidence collected during these raids will be investigated to determine the level of the accused persons’ involvement in anti-national activities and terrorism. Furthermore, terrorist associates identified during the investigations will also face prosecution.
In a separate operation, SIU teams conducted raids on the houses of four terrorists in Ramban district. These individuals, including Qari Abdul Latief, Reyaz Ahmad Bohru, Fayaz Ahmad, and Mushtaq Ahmad, are settled in PoJK and are continuously attempting to revive militancy in the area. The raids yielded substantial digital and non-digital evidence, which will undergo detailed analysis.
The special NIA court in Jammu had previously issued non-bailable warrants against 23 terrorists from Kishtwar operating from across the border. Additionally, non-bailable warrants were issued against 13 terrorists in the district.
The efforts of the police and intelligence agencies, in collaboration with the SIU, underscore the commitment to identify and neutralize militants operating from Pakistan and PoJK/PaJK, with the objective of maintaining peace and security in the Chenab Valley region and the wider Jammu region.
(Inputs from Excelsior)
The Chenab Times News Desk