Jammu and Kashmir Police have uncovered an active underground worker (OGW) network linked to the Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba in the Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir. In an operation late on Monday evening, authorities arrested three suspects who allegedly played a crucial role in facilitating the movement of terrorists from the plains into the Kashmir Valley.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Zaakir Hussain and Mohammad Azam, residents of Kotcharwal Tereeyath in Rajouri, and Mohammad Mushtaq, a native of Udhan village. Police sources stated that the trio was allegedly involved in providing logistical support to militants, including guiding them through routes into the Himalayan region, gathering intelligence, and maintaining communication with their handlers.
During the investigation, law enforcement officials discovered that one of the accused provided critical information leading to the recovery of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). The device was being stored in a secure location and was believed to be intended either for future use in targeted attacks or kept in reserve by the terror network. Authorities have not yet disclosed whether the IED was functional or had been rendered safe.
Police emphasized that the OGW network was instrumental in creating a support infrastructure for LeT operatives moving across the Line of Control. These underground workers typically handle safe-house management, route planning, surveillance of security force movements, and procurement of supplies for militants.
The arrests mark a significant counter-terrorism breakthrough in a district that has seen heightened militant activity in recent years. Rajouri and nearby Poonch have been recurring hotspots for terrorist infiltration attempts. Security agencies have been intensifying operations in the area following intelligence inputs about increased LeT recruitment and training activities in the region.
Investigations are underway to determine if the network has larger links to other terror operatives or handlers still at large. Police have requested the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.
