Daijiworld Media Network - Srinagar

Srinagar, Apr 7: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Tuesday busted an inter-state module of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror outfit and arrested five persons, including a key mastermind who had been evading arrest for the past 16 years.

The arrested include Abdullah alias Abu Hurera, a top LeT operative who had been absconding for over a decade and a half and is believed to be the brain behind a network of terrorist hideouts and funding channels. Police said he played a crucial role in establishing terror bases outside the Union Territory.

Another Pakistani terrorist, Usman alias Khubaib, was also arrested during the operation conducted jointly by Jammu and Kashmir Police and central investigative agencies.

Officials said extensive searches were carried out at 19 locations across Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan and Haryana, leading to the unearthing of a well-organised LeT network involved in providing logistical and financial support to terrorists.

Among the five arrested, three are residents of Srinagar. They have been identified as Mohammad Naqeeb Bhat, Adil Rashid Bhat and Ghulam Mohammad Mir alias Mama. They are accused of providing shelter, food and other assistance to terrorists.

Investigations revealed that with the help of the LeT network, a foreign terrorist had managed to travel out of India using fake documents and forged identity credentials.

Police said the group had infiltrated into India nearly 16 years ago and remained active across various districts of the Kashmir Valley. During this period, they are believed to have assisted around 40 foreign terrorists, most of whom were later neutralised by Indian security forces.

Further investigation into the network is underway, officials added.