Probe to determine how ‘Khargosh’ used forged papers to prepare Indian passport

The Jammu and Kashmir Police, which recently busted an interstate terror module, is investigating how a Pakistani militant codenamed ‘Khargosh’ allegedly fled India after obtaining an Indian passport using forged documents in Rajasthan, The Tribune has learnt.

The J&K Police’s Special Operations Group (SOG), which led the operation, arrested Pakistani militants including Abdullah, alias Abu Hureira, a top commander who infiltrated the Valley around 2010 and was involved in recruiting militants, and Usman, alias Khubaib.

Sources said investigators have found during the probe that another member of the module, a Pakistani militant codenamed ‘Khargosh’, managed to escape from India using an Indian passport procured through forged documents.

Officials familiar with the investigation said the militant had infiltrated the Valley and was active in areas around Srinagar before deciding to shift base with other module members outside the Union Territory around 2022.

While the case is being probed in depth, sources said that after relocating from Jammu and Kashmir, the militant allegedly moved to Southeast Asia around 2024 after securing a passport using fake documents in Rajasthan.

“Investigations are underway to determine how he managed to obtain forged documents, secure an Indian passport, and flee the country,” sources said, adding that central agencies are also involved in the probe.

Sources further said Khargosh is believed to be a key member of the busted module and was instrumental in the decision to shift its base outside Jammu and Kashmir.

“At the time the group moved out, security forces were intensifying operations against terrorists. To evade action, they shifted base to survive,” sources said.

In recent days, following the busting of the module, security forces have conducted searches and raids at multiple locations across Jammu and Kashmir and other states, including Rajasthan and Haryana, with support from central agencies. Several suspects have been detained and questioned to ascertain their role in the network.

Police sources said the investigation is ongoing and more arrests are likely in the coming days. “The probe is progressing, and we are pursuing multiple leads to uncover the wider network of the module,” officials said.