The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed charges against three fugitive handlers of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) group, among five individuals implicated in the January 2023 Rajouri attacks case. This action signifies the agency’s ongoing commitment to dismantle terrorist networks in Jammu and Kashmir.
The case pertains to a brutal terrorist assault on civilians in Dhangri village, Rajouri district, on January 1 last year, followed by an IED explosion the next day. The attacks resulted in the deaths of seven innocent people, including two children, and left several others severely wounded.
According to the NIA, the three charged individuals are LeT handlers identified as Saifullah alias Sajid Jutt alias Ali alias Habibullah alias Numan alias Langda alias Noumi, Mohd Qasim, and Abu Qatal alias Qatal Sindhi. While Abu Qatal and Sajid Jutt are Pakistani nationals, Qasim had crossed over to Pakistan around 2002 and joined LeT’s terrorist ranks there.
The investigations reveal that these Pakistan-based accused orchestrated the recruitment and dispatch of LeT terrorists from Pakistan to target innocent civilians, particularly from minority communities in Jammu and Kashmir, as well as security personnel, under their directives.
Saifullah, currently a senior LeT commander, masterminded the conspiracy from Pakistan, along with the other two. Mohd Qasim serves as a key aide to high-ranking LeT commanders. Abu Qatal, who had been in India during 2002-03 and operated in the Poonch-Rajouri region, was active alongside other terrorists.
The other two individuals charged are Nisar Ahmed alias Haji Nisar and Mushtaq Hussain alias Chacha, both Overground workers (OGWs) of LeT and residents of Mohra, Gursai, Tehsil Mendhar, District Poonch. They were arrested during NIA investigations.
It was discovered that they provided logistical support to the terrorists on Abu Qatal’s orders. Along with a juvenile accomplice, they sheltered and aided the terrorists for about three months post the Dhangri attack, and attempted to destroy evidence, including the mobile phone used for communication with Pakistan-based LeT commanders.
Nisar also received a consignment of arms, ammunition, and cash from the handlers. He had contact with Abu Qatal during the latter’s stay in India and remained in touch even after Abu Qatal returned to Pakistan.
The chargesheet against the arrested adults and the Pakistani handlers includes sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and various sections of the Indian Penal Code. The case against the apprehended juvenile will be presented to the Juvenile Justice Board, Rajouri, in due course.