The head of the terror Hydra is set to fall if the new strategy formulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s National Security Advisor Ajit Kumar Doval takes off. ‘Target Terrorist Commanders’ is the message from the Superspy, a dreaded figure in Pakistan and most feared by terrorist outfits sponsored by the ISI. Back-to-back fidayeen attacks targeted Gurdaspur in Punjab and Udhampur in J&K, killing a total of nine people in both the states and injuring 20 others on July 27 and August 5 respectively. Doval held several meetings with top security and intelligence officials after the July 27 attack to neutralise the terrorists in the areas where they are suspected to be thriving.
Sources said the recent infiltration and successful attacks were coordinated by at least three Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commanders, including two Pakistani nationals. At least 15 LeT operatives, which include seven Pakistani, and 22 Hizb-ul Mujahideen terrorists operating from at least 26 hideouts have also been identified by the agencies.
Doval’s directive in the wake of confession made by arrested terrorist Naved has been conveyed to the agencies to launch headhunting in the identified areas.
OPs TO NEUTRALISE the top ranks: Top sources told The Sunday Standard that terrorists, who sneaked into Indian territory from Pakistan, may be getting helps from various other commanders operating in the valley. It appears from the input generated by the agencies that Pakistan-based handlers have been able to install and strengthen the over-ground team to handle different modules infiltrating before winter sets in. Apart from Abu Qasim and Abu Dujana, the security establishment has identified several battle-hardened LeT terrorists who is suspected to have helped LeT suicide attacker Noman, who was killed in the Udhampur attack. Citing Intelligence input, sources said their footprints were found in Reban, Bogund and Chinigam areas of the Valley.
LeT operative Majid Zargar, sources further confirmed, is assisted by his two deputies—Ahmad and Mudassir , both trained by LeT in its training camp in Muridke and Muzaffarabad. Pugmarks of Zargar, Ahmad and Mudassir have been tracked by agencies in Arwani, Quimoh, Wampora, Redwani, Kujjar, Baan and Chadder areas of the valley. A close aide of Zargar Javaid was killed in June by security forces.
“They are being helped by over-ground operatives in terms of logistics. It is not yet clear when they infiltrated but recent chatters indicate that Mudassir, who is suspected to be a local, might be providing assistance to other terrorist operatives,” sources said.
LeT, though banned by Pakistan, the US, the UK and India, uses Jamat-ud Dawa, a charity to disguise its terror activities. According to sources, LeT has been asked by ISI to carry out strikes in peaceful areas of Jammu and Kashmir and that is the reason they first attacked Rajbagh Police Station in Kathua on March 20, followed by an attack on Army camp in Samba the next day. Terrorists, earlier interrogated by security and intelligence officials, confirmed that training and logistic support is provided to them in Pakistan who subsequently infiltrate into India.
THREE LeT MODULES RAISE CONCERNS: Sources said at least three LeT modules may have strengthened their hold in J&K to carry out terror strikes and assist the movement of fidayeen.
On the hit list
■ Abu Qasim (LeT)
■ Abu Dujana of LeT
■ Majid Zargar (LeT)
■ Irshad alias Naveed (LeT)
■ Zaffar (HuM)
■ Burhandin (HuM)
■ Saleem (JeM)