For the past year, terrorists from Jammu and Kashmir, based in various parts of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), have been coordinating with the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to launch attacks in the Jammu division, stated intelligence reports.
These reports, derived from the interrogation of overground workers (OGWs), indicate that seven to eight terrorists based in Pakistan have planned these attacks, including ambushes on Indian Army and civilian vehicles.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has designated many of these individuals as terrorists for their involvement in recent and past attacks in Rajouri, Poonch, Reasi, and other areas of Jammu.
Intelligence agencies have identified four key figures: Sajid Jutt from Kasur in Pakistan, Rafiq Nai from Mendhar in Poonch who resides in Pakistan, Mohammad Qasim from Reasi who also resides in Pakistan, and Abu Qatal from Pakistan.
These individuals are considered the masterminds behind most of the attacks that have occurred within the Jammu division.
These terrorists not only coordinate attacks in the Jammu division but also plan locations for dropping arms, ammunition, and drugs via drones.
They have been pivotal in strengthening the OGW network in Rajouri and Poonch, which provides logistical support to infiltrated militants.
In February, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) charged Sajid Jutt, Mohammad Qasim, and Abu Qatal for their involvement in the January 2023 attack at Dhangri village in Rajouri, where seven members of the Hindu community were killed.
These names have also surfaced in connection with ambushes on military vehicles and a bus of pilgrims, leading to multiple casualties.
Sources report that these four terrorists are affiliated with the proscribed Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) outfit and are aided by the Pakistan Army and ISI in identifying attack locations in Jammu.
After receiving information from local OGWs about the movement of military vehicles, the terrorists, hiding in forest areas, are contacted by their handlers in Pakistan and informed about their targets.
"Sajid Jutt, born in 1982 in Kasur, has ties with the LeT and its offshoot, The Resistance Front (TRF)," an intelligence source revealed. "Rafiq Nai from Poonch has successfully persuaded some radicalised locals to assist infiltrating ultras from Pakistan."
These terrorists have also been determining locations for drone drops of ammunition and drugs, further complicating security efforts in the region.
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