Three Hizbul operatives and one LeT operative are designated as terrorists by the Center
The Centre on Tuesday identified four operatives from two terror groups operating throughout Kashmir in state of Kashmir as terrorists under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). The terrorists are Hizb-ul-Mujahideen agents Showkat Ahmad Sheikh, Basit Ahmed Reshi, and Imtiyaz Ahmed Kandoo. They are also Habibullah Malik from Lashkar-etaiba.
According to a notice released from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), at the very least, one is a Pakistani, and others have Kashmiri descent. All originate from Pakistan.
As per the MHA announcement, Sheikh, known as Showkat Mochi, is a native of Baramulla in Kashmir; however, he now resides in Pakistan. As the MHA has stated, he is one of the “chief launching commanders of terror outfit Hizb-Ul-Mujahideen” and is already prohibited by the UAPA.
“Sheikh is instrumental in spreading terror…involved in coordinating infiltration and recruitment of terrorists and execution of terror attacks owing to his deep network of associates in North Kashmir,” the announcement said.
Kandoo is, as the MHA claimed, from Kraltang, Sopore in Jammu and Kashmir and is currently in Pakistan, “has been involved in managing finances and supplying arms, ammunition to terrorists, besides narcotics smuggling”. Kandoo has been orchestrating attacks against security forces as well as civilians…has been influencing and enticing youngsters to join terrorist groups in the pursuit of terror throughout Kashmir Valley. Kashmir Valley,” the MHA stated.
Reshi is a native of the Yemberzalwari area of Baramulla and currently living in Pakistan and has been declared that he is a terrorist because the terrorist “is involved in subversive activities and coordinating target killings in Jammu and Kashmir…planned and executed a terror attack on a police guard post of shrine Baba Ali Raina at Tajjaur Shariet Peth Astan in Sopore on the 18 August, 2015, in which a police personnel and a civilian were killed…coordinates in recruitment and execution of terror attacks”. He is in charge of ammunition and arms and finances terror-related activities. He also encourages young people to join the terrorist ranks in the Valley, according to the MHA stated.
Let agent Malik who goes by the name of Sajid Jutt, belongs to a Pakistani national living in Kasur and is believed to be affiliated with The Resistance Front (TRF). “Malik has been involved in radicalising Kashmiri youths and recruiting them for militancy through his network …Malik is the key handler of terrorists who carried out an attack on Indian soldiers in Bhata Dhurian, Poonch…has been involved in drone dropping of arms and communication systems in Jammu region for terrorists,” the MHA claimed.
The MHA claims that Malik has established an organisation of hardcore militants. He has also orchestrated several terrorist attacks within the Valley, which include the fidayeen attacks at Hyderpora on 13 June 2013 and the killing of the Chadoora police station officer, who was killed in December 2013.
