Aug 12: In a significant success, police have arrested nine terror associates as enemy agents who had been receiving the Pakistani terrorists after their infiltration from the International Border in Samba-Kathua sector and then guiding them to the upper reaches of Udhampur, Kathua and Doda districts around Kailash mountain which is at the centre of tri-junction of these three districts.Kingpin of the module has been identified as Mohammad Lateef alias Haji Lateef, a resident of Ambe Naal, Kathua, who was helping the terrorists in taking shelter in dhoks after their infiltration from Pakistan. Three terrorists killed in Gandoh area of Doda district and two terrorists eliminated by security personnel in Hiranagar were sheltered by him. He was absconding since the elimination of the terrorists at Hiranagar.
Police officials told the Excelsior that a total of 50 persons living in dhoks (summer kutcha huts) in the mountains for grazing their livestock have been investigated by police for providing shelter to the terrorists including three to four terrorists who were involved in the martyrdom of five Army soldiers including a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) at Badnota near Machedi in Billawar area of Kathua district on July 8.
“They provided food, shelter, or communication help to the foreign terrorists. However, only a few of them didn’t report to the police. Some of them have also accepted money from the terrorists. Those who have reported to the police in time are being treated as innocent,” the officials said.
The liability of others is being examined including prior connection with terrorists and their handlers across the border, they added,
Calling upon the people to inform police about any contact with terrorists as soon as possible after the terrorists leave, the police officials cautioned that failure to report any such act besides being a criminal offence is likely to adversely affect the person’s access to Government benefits.
“Arrested members of the module have confirmed that three terrorists killed in an encounter with security forces in Gandoh area of Doda district on June 26 were assisted by them in hiding and travelling without being detected till they reached the upper areas,” the officials said.
Police said kingpin of the module Mohammad Lateef alias Haji Lateef acted as guide/logistics etc for the group of terrorists passing through the area. He engaged and directed others in their role as guide/food provider in the area.
Besides kingpin, eight other terror associates arrested by the police as enemy agents include Akhter Ali son of Rashid of Ambe Naal, Saddam and Kushal, both brothers and residents of Bhadu, Billawar, Noorani son of Meer of Juthana, Maqbool son of Mohammad Lateef of Soffain, Liaquat son of Haji Lateef, Kasim Din son of Shahin Din and Khadim alias Qazi son of Baza R/o Kattal, Bhadu, Billawar, all in Kathua district.
Police said kingpin of the module in active collusion with terrorist handlers across the border, played crucial role in receiving foreign terrorists after their illegal and surreptitious entry into India from Samba-Kathua sector.
“The module besides providing initial shelter, food and other logistics, was also responsible for guiding them to upper reaches in Udhampur, Kathua and Doda districts. The terrorists were taken to Kailash mountain which is at the centre of tri-junction of these three districts,” they added.
Lateef’s sustained interrogation is on but he is understood to have helped some more groups of the terrorists in reaching upper reaches of Udhampur, Doda and Kathua after infiltration from the International Border in Samba and Kathua districts.
