Agencies fear attacks by 8 Pampore-squad militants

Neeraj Chauhan / TNN / Updated: Jul 8, 2016, 08:23 IST

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Intelligence and security agencies fear that eight trained jihadis who infiltrated along with the two killed in the Pampore encounter are still in the Valley, and might target the Amarnath Yatra or convoys of Army, CRPF, BSF, SSB and J&K Police.

Agencies fear attacks by 8 Pampore-squad militants

Aauthorities have increased foot prints of forces personnel along Srinagar-Jammu highway after the Pampore attack.

Key Highlights

Module of 10 militants believed to have infiltrated into J&K, 2 eliminated during Pampore attack
Others likely to be in the valley, waiting for an opportunity to strike security forces, of soft targets like the Amarnath Yatra
Local help suspected in helping the infiltrators sustain in the valley

NEW DELHI: Twelve days after the deadly attack by Lashkare-Taiba terrorists on a CRPF convoy in Pampore in Jammu & Kashmir, in which eight jawans were killed, intelligence and security agencies fear that eight trained terrorists who infiltrated along with the two killed are still in the Valley.
The module of 10 suicide attackers, led by one Majid Bhai of Pakistan, was asked to specifically target security forces, sources said.

Agencies fear that the eight may attack the Amarnath Yatra and convoys of Army, CRPF, BSF, SSB and J&K Police. Top sources told TOI that the Lashkar leadership, under the command of Hafiz Saeed’s son-in-law Khalid Waleed, sent these men after rigorous training about a month ago and they infiltrated from Babareshi area near Gulmarg.
“After entering the Valley, the 10 suicide attackers split into two groups of five each. One of them attacked the CRPF convoy on June 25. Two terrorists were killed in the exchange of fire with CRPF men while three reportedly fled in a car. They were assisted by local sympathisers. The second group and the three who escaped are still in the Valley and they are heavily armed,” said an official.
A J&K-based divisional commander of LeT, Abu Dujana, is believed to be supervising their plans in India. The intel agencies have information that J&K-based overground workers, on Dujana’s directions, are sheltering these eight militants while they wait for an opportunity to strike. Security has been tightened in the Valley and convoys are being moved with utmost caution. There have been several meetings with the Army, which provides corridor security, after the Pampore attack, and all forces have prepared plans to secure their movement.
Agencies believe Waleed is being promoted to handle Lashkar’s anti-India operations, especially attacks on security forces in J&K.

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