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Rajouri Police intensify their counter-terror probe after three arrests and an IED recovery. (Img: Dynamite News)
Rajouri: Rajouri Police have arrested three people allegedly linked to a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror-support network in the Pir Panjal region of Jammu and Kashmir. An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was also recovered during the investigation, raising fresh questions about the network and its alleged plans.
Police are now trying to trace other associates and establish whether the accused were connected to multiple terror-related incidents, including an attack targeting civilians.
The arrests came during an investigation into a suspected Over Ground Worker (OGW) network allegedly supporting terrorists in the Pir Panjal region.
Police said the three accused allegedly provided logistical assistance, safe transit and other ground-level support to terrorists. Investigators also suspect that they acted as guides and helped facilitate the movement of terrorist groups towards the Kashmir Valley.
The development has put the spotlight on the hidden support infrastructure that terrorist groups allegedly rely on for movement, logistics and local assistance.
The arrested persons have been identified as Zakir Hussain, son of Ghulam Hussain, and Mohd Azam, son of Ali Bahadur, both residents of Kotcharwal Teryath in Rajouri. The third accused, Mohd Mushtaq, son of Mohd Iqbal, is a resident of Udhan in Rajouri district.
Police have alleged that the three were involved in facilitating terrorist activities in the region. Their individual roles and the extent of their alleged involvement are still being investigated.
The investigation took a significant turn after an IED was recovered based on information allegedly provided by one of the arrested accused. According to preliminary police findings, members of a terrorist group had allegedly handed over the explosive device to the accused for safe custody and possible use in a targeted attack.
The recovery could provide investigators with crucial leads about the suspected terror network, including the source of the explosive, its intended use and possible links with other individuals.
Investigators are also examining whether the accused allegedly provided ground support to terrorists connected with multiple high-profile attacks.
Police said the probe includes an alleged link to an attack targeting civilians. However, the investigation is still at a preliminary stage, and the exact nature of these suspected links has yet to be established.
Investigators are expected to examine communication records, movement patterns and other evidence to determine how the alleged support network operated.
The Pir Panjal belt is an important security zone because of its mountainous terrain and connectivity between different parts of Jammu and Kashmir.
For security agencies, suspected local support networks are a major concern because they can allegedly help armed groups navigate difficult terrain, arrange movement and maintain logistical links.
The latest arrests therefore go beyond the detention of three individuals. Police are attempting to identify the wider network allegedly operating behind the movement and support of terrorists in the region.
Following the arrests and IED recovery, police have intensified efforts to identify additional suspects and associates. Investigators are working to establish the complete structure of the alleged network and determine whether more people were involved in providing transportation, shelter, supplies, reconnaissance or other logistical assistance. The probe could also reveal how the alleged network communicated with terrorist operatives and whether it had links beyond Rajouri.
The case highlights the broader counter-terrorism challenge of dismantling support networks rather than focusing only on armed operatives. An OGW network, when established by investigators, can provide the local logistical infrastructure that allows terrorist groups to move and operate. Breaking such links can therefore be an important part of preventing future attacks.
The recovery of an IED has added another serious dimension to the Rajouri investigation. The investigation remains underway, with police working to identify additional associates and determine the full extent of the accused persons' alleged involvement.
The IED recovery, suspected links to terrorist groups and possible connections with earlier attacks are likely to remain key areas of investigation. More arrests or disclosures could follow if investigators uncover further evidence of the alleged network.
For now, the central focus remains on answering one question: how large was the suspected terror-support network operating in the Pir Panjal region, and who else may have been connected to it?
