Sajjad Gul who plotted Shujaat Bukhari’s killing designated as terrorist

New Delhi, April 19

The government today issued a notification, designating Sheikh Sajjad, alias Sajjad Gul, a member of Lashkar-e-Toiba, as terrorist under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. Al Badr terrorist Arjumand Gulzar Dar, alias Hamza Burhan, too, has been added to the list for funding terrorism.

Gul, who is the sixth individual to have been designated as a terrorist by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs in the last fortnight, was allegedly responsible for killing journalist Shujaat Bukhari in Srinagar in 2018.

Gul and Dar are the 37th and 38th individuals respectively to have been designated as terrorists by the Union Home Ministry.

The MHA in its notification said Gul had been absconding in a case pertaining to recovery of arms and ammunition in J&K and had been actively radicalising, motivating and recruiting youngsters in the UT to support the LeT. He has also been involved in terror funding, it added.

“Gul was found involved in hatching a criminal conspiracy, in connivance with other members of the LeT, to eliminate Bukhari, a prominent journalist, along with two of his personal security officers, at the busy Press Enclave area of Srinagar on June 14, 2018,” the MHA notification read.

Meanwhile, the launch pads across the LoC are abuzz with activities with around 60 to 80 terrorists, believed to be Pakistan mercenaries who have returned from Afghan war, receiving training with a possible push expected during summer months, officials said. The officials, however, feel that Pakistan will have to think several times before pushing them into the Indian side as Islamabad continues to be in the “grey list” of the Financial Action Task Force, and its sincerity could be gauged if it dismantles the terror infrastructure. Officials say the Pakistani army has fortified its positions along the border with around 8,000 tonnes of defence material. (With PTI inputs)

Shot in 2018

Noted Kashmiri scribe Shujaat Bukhari was shot outside his Srinagar office on June 14, 2018. Earlier, he had survived several attacks.

Over 60 ultras on Pak launch pads

• The launch pads across the LoC are abuzz with training of around 60 to 80 terrorists, say officials.
• Believed to be Pakistan mercenaries, they are receiving training with a push expected in summer months.
• According to officials, the anti-infiltration grid and surveillance along the LoC has been further beefed up.