Gurdaspur terror attack: Days before attack, intel alert on infiltration bids

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Just days ahead of the attack, intelligence sources had warned that a “mixed group of terrorists from the LeT and HM” were planning to infiltrate through Dudhnial in PoK, and the infiltration bid would coincide with shelling from Pakistan. This group would be led by a terrorist identified as Maqbool Khan, sources had said.

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Earlier, intelligence sources had also alerted security agencies that two groups of terrorists — seven terrorists from LeT-JeM and six from LeT — would attempt to infiltrate under cover fire from Pakistan Rangers.

Inputs at the time had indicated that the first group of LeT-JeM terrorists had pressed forward from Kel to Doga in PoK, and would attempt to reach the Lolab Valley. The second group of six LeT terrorists was reportedly accompanied by a guide identified as Yusuf, and had pressed forward from Dudhnial to Thandapani in PoK. They would aim to reach Rajwar in Kupwara district.

Sources on Monday said the Gurdaspur attackers may have entered Punjab due to heightened security in Jammu for the Amarnath Yatra. “The terrorists did not seem to be too familiar with the local terrain, and it appears that they did not conduct a reccee in advance. They were carrying two GPS locators which can give an idea about where they came from and the route followed by them to reach Gurdaspur,” said a source.

“In an attempt to conceal their identities, the terrorists had taken pains to remove all tags from their clothes — from the combat uniforms as well as their innerwear. They were not carrying any food packets either, only some loose dry fruits,” the source added.