J&K: Police dismantle entrenched Lashkar-e-Taiba module; arrest Pakistani terrorist wanted for 16 years

New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir police on Tuesday arrested five people, including one pakistani terrorist He was wanted for 16 years for damaging an ‘entrenched’ interstate highway Lashkar-e-Taiba module.Pakistani terrorist Abu Hureira was captured on Monday along with another Pakistani national during an operation six months after a “white collar” terror group centered around Faridabad’s Farah University was dismantled, officials said.Srinagar police, in a joint operation with police forces of other states and central agencies, conducted searches at 19 locations in Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan and Haryana, officials said. A large number of weapons were seized during the raid, including four AK assault rifles, pistols, grenades and electronic items.Officials said the operation, which began on March 31 and was overseen by Srinagar-based police chief Nalin Prabhat, revealed Lashkar-e-Taiba’s funding and financial model.Officials said three Srinagar residents, Mohammad Naqeeb Bhat, Adil Rashid Bhat and Ghulam Mohammad Mir, were among the five arrested. They are accused of providing shelter, food and logistical support to terrorists.The elaborate network began to unravel when Naqeeb Bhat, the first of three Srinagar residents, was arrested in Pandach district on March 31 with a pistol and other incriminating materials.When questioned, he said that he was a member of Lashkar-e-Taiba and had purchased weapons and ammunition from another associate, Adil Rashid of Zakoura. He also provided support to foreign terrorists, officials said.Who are the two Pakistani terrorists?According to officials, the two Pakistani terrorists were classified as ‘A+’ category militants. They infiltrated into India about 16 years ago and remained active in various parts of the Kashmir Valley, commanding about 40 foreign terrorists over the years, most of whom have been eliminated, officials said.Officials said Abdullah and Usman may have used false identities to move out of the valley. The findings also revealed that a foreign terrorist managed to travel abroad using a valid passport created with forged documents.They said more arrests are likely as the investigation is ongoing to identify additional associates, financiers, facilitators, hideouts and interstate connections.Incriminating material was seized from several hideouts across Srinagar and other cities. They included three AK-47 rifles, an AK-Krinkov rifle, pistols, grenades, electronic equipment and gadgets, officials said.