Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Mar 26: The counter intelligence wing of Police today busted a transnational terror recruitment module operated by the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) outfit.
An official said that the Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) today conducted extensive searches across Srinagar, Ganderbal, and Shopian, leading to the busting of the module operating in coordination with handlers from across the border and in connivance with a network based in Bangladesh.
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“The searches were carried out at 10 locations in pursuance of search warrants issued by the court of special judge designated under the NIA Act, Srinagar, in connection with case FIR No. 01/2026 under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act registered at CIK police station,” the official said.
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He said that during the course of the investigation, it has emerged that the module is being handled by a LeT terrorist, Shabir Ahmad Lone.
“Lone originally hails from Kangan area in Ganderbal district of central Kashmir, and operates under multiple aliases including Raju and Zafar Saddique,” he added.
“The handler is highly radicalised and trained, having undergone structured arms training (‘Daura-e-Aam’ and ‘Daura-e-Khas’) in Pakistan-occupied Jammu Kashmir,” the official said.
He said that Lone initially worked as an over-ground worker (OGW) for a terrorist outfit in the late 1990s before joining LeT in the early 2000s.
“He later infiltrated into India via the Bangladesh border and has remained actively involved in terror-related activities, including conspiracy in high-profile attacks. After facing legal proceedings in India in the past, he exfiltrated to Bangladesh, where he has since been operating and coordinating terrorist recruitment and network expansion,” the official added.
He said the investigations have revealed that Lone is in close touch with senior leadership of proscribed terrorist organisations and has played a key role in reviving cross-border terror modules, including those recently unearthed in different parts of the country.
“He is currently believed to be based in Bangladesh and continues to direct operations through a network of associates and over-ground workers, as such is most wanted terrorist operating from foreign land,” he added.
The official said that the CIK had earlier arrested one of Lone’s close associates Irfan Ahmad Wani – a 45-year-old individual from Heerpura area of Shopian in south Kashmir, who was working as a religious functionary at a local Masjid.
“Preliminary investigation indicates that the accused (Wani) was in continuous contact with the handler and other terrorists based in Pakistan and Afghanistan through encrypted messaging platforms. He was actively engaged in facilitating recruitment, radicalisation, and logistical support at the local level,” the official added.
“The investigation has also revealed that the module was using encrypted communication platforms and other digital means to maintain secrecy and coordinate with handlers across borders,” he said.
The official said that during the searches conducted today, incriminating materials including digital devices, SIM cards, mobile phones, laptops, and other documents having bearing on the investigation were recovered and seized.
“The ongoing investigation is aimed at dismantling the broader terror ecosystem by identifying and taking strict legal action against all individuals involved, including OGWs, facilitators, conduits, and sympathisers operating from within Jammu and Kashmir and from foreign soil, including Bangladesh,” he said.
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