SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Police’s counter-intelligence wing on Tuesday dismantled a recruitment module of Tehreek-Labaik-Ya-Muslim (TLM), a newly formed terrorist outfit believed to be an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), following raids at 10 locations across seven districts.
According to a statement by Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK), a Pakistani LeT handler going by the alias of ‘Baba Hamas’ was operating the module that was actively involved in mobilising, radicalising and recruiting the youths of Kashmir for terror activities, through social media and other means.
The operation came two days after the deadly terror attack at Gagangir in Ganderbal district that left seven people dead. Officials said Tuesday that more than 40 suspects had been rounded up for questioning as part of investigation. However, a senior police officer said no one had been arrested yet for Sunday’s attack at a tunnel construction site, for which The Resistance Front, an offshoot of LeT, had claimed responsibility.
The searches by counter intelligence teams were carried out at locations in Srinagar, Pulwama, Anantnag, Ganderbal, Bandipora, Kulgam and Budgam districts following a warrant issued by a special NIA court in Srinagar in connection with a case registered in June 2023 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Incriminating material and digital devices, including laptops, mobile phones and SIM cards, were seized during the raids, officials said.
The case pertains to a larger conspiracy hatched by banned terrorist organisations operating within J&K and across the Line of Control at the behest of Pakistani agencies, in connivance with their over ground workers (OGWs), supporters, facilitators and sympathisers, to further terrorist activities in Kashmir.
Officials said the terrorist handler, ‘Baba Hamas’, was providing seditious material and directions to OGWs/facilitators through various encrypted social media applications to radicalise the youths and lure them to join the TLM ranks. The module was in constant touch with handlers across the border through encrypted internet messaging platforms.
The newly floated outfit is believed to be behind a fire incident at a panchayat ghar in Pulwama and other suspicious activities. It is also suspected to be involved in pasting posters glorifying terrorist acts at various locations in south and central Kashmir, in a bid to inspire the youth to join this outfit.
(With inputs from agencies)