Wagah route for terror training

Majid Jahangir

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 10

Militant recruits in Kashmir have adopted a new strategy to get arms training in Pakistan. They travel on valid visas and infiltrate back into the Valley through the treacherous Line of Control after receiving training.

Of the five Kashmiri militants killed along the LoC in Kupwara this year, at least four had visited Pakistan through the Wagah border on valid documents, a top police official said. The five were buried in Kupwara as they were believed to be from Pakistan. However, the bodies had to be exhumed after their families here identified them.

J&K DGP Shesh Paul Vaid termed it a “new phenomenon”. “While many such militants have been detained, it seems they are now finding it hard to return via Wagah and are taking the LoC route.”

Another officer said a “well-knit militant network” was managing visas and documents. The police say the individuals first acquire a passport and get a recommendation letter from their contact to obtain a visa from the Pakistan High Commission. The purpose of visit mentioned is usually meeting a relative or studies. 

Intelligence agencies have been alerted at Wagah, while youths intending to visit Pakistan have been advised to get clearance from SSPs.  

Like our page on Facebook