SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Thursday said that four overground workers (OGWs) affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) were arrested in Bandipora district of North Kashmir.
According to a police statement credible information had been received regarding certain OGWs associated with the LeT who, under the direction of their handlers, had conspired to carry out attacks on security forces and non-locals.
“Acting on this input, Bandipora Police initiated a manhunt and established special checkpoints across various locations in the district. A joint checkpoint was set up at Kanipora Naidkhai Sumbal by Bandipora Police, D-Coy 45 Bn CRPF, and E-Coy of 13 Rashtriya Rifles,” statementy reads.
“During the checking, two individuals identified as Mohammad Rafiq Khanday, son of Mohammad Afzal Khanday, resident of Khanday Mohalla Watalpira Banyari, and Mukhtar Ahmad Dar, son of Mohammad Yousuf Dar, resident of Bunpora Mohalla S.K Bala, were apprehended. Upon search, two Chinese hand grenades, one 7.62 mm magazine, and 30 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition were recovered from their possession. Accordingly, a case under FIR No. 88/2025 was registered under relevant sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) at Police Station Sumbal, and further investigation is underway,” it adds.
Additionally, Bandipora Police, in coordination with F-Coy 3rd Bn CRPF and 13 RR Ajas camp, established another joint checkpoint at Sadunara Ajas. “During the operation, two more suspects were apprehended—Rayees Ahmad Dar, son of Sona Ullah Dar, resident of Saderkoot Bala, and Mohammad Shafi Dar, son of Mohammad Sultan Dar, resident of Banyari. A similar search led to the recovery of one Chinese hand grenade, one 7.62 mm magazine, and 30 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition. A case under FIR No. 87/2025 has also been registered at Police Station Sumbal under applicable sections of UAPA, with further investigation ongoing.”
During interrogation, the arrested individuals admitted to being OGWs of the banned terrorist organisation LeT and confessed they were instructed to carry out attacks on security forces and non-locals in Ajas, Naidkhai Sumbal, and surrounding areas, the police statement added, police said. (GNS)
