NIA investigates PoK-based LeT operative's role in Pahalgam attack

The agency has intensified its crackdown on terrorist infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir, with a significant focus on LeT operative Farooq Ahmed. His network is suspected to be behind several recent terror attacks, including the brutal killing of 26 people in Baisaran Valley on April 22.

Sources indicate that Farooq remains a high-priority target for security agencies, which are coordinating efforts to bring him to justice and dismantle the remnants of the terror network he established in the Valley over an extended period.

According to sources, Ahmed, a native of Kupwara who is currently believed to be hiding in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), has emerged as a key figure in facilitating the infiltration of Pakistani terrorists into the Kashmir Valley.

Leveraging his extensive knowledge of the region's mountainous terrain, Farooq reportedly assisted militants in crossing into India through three separate sectors along the Pakistan border.

Sources also suggest that Farooq cultivated a widespread network of overground workers (OGWs) across the Valley. This network allegedly provided crucial logistical support to foreign terrorists, enabling deadly attacks, including the recent Baisaran massacre, which security officials have described as one of the "most cowardly" acts in recent years.

In response, security forces have escalated efforts to dismantle the support systems aiding cross-border terrorism. As part of this campaign, Farooq Ahmed’s residence in Kupwara was recently demolished, symbolising the government's zero-tolerance policy towards individuals assisting terrorism.

Multiple individuals associated with Farooq’s OGW network have already been arrested, and investigations are ongoing to determine the full scope of his operations. Authorities anticipate further arrests as the crackdown continues.