Early Times Report
Jammu, June 8: A group of Kashmir terrorists hiding in Pakistan, are behind the spike in targeted killings in the valley, the security and intelligence agencies have learnt.
Highly placed sources told the Early Times that the security agencies as also the intelligence agencies have got credible inputs that a group of Kashmiri terrorists hiding in Pakistan are behind the spike in terror strikes and have been in contact with their cadres in Kashmir.
Sources said the group is headed by one Sajad Gul, a designated terrorist. Lashkar operative Sheikh Sajad alias Sajjad Gul, had taken part in the conspiracy to kill journalist Shujaat Bukhari in Srinagar in 2018.
As per police records, Gul, a resident of Srinagar, is absconding in a case pertaining to recovery of arms and ammunition in Jammu and Kashmir and has been actively radicalising, motivating and recruiting youngsters in the Union Territory to support the LeT. He has also been involved in terror funding into Jammu and Kashmir. The other members of the terror group include Ashiq Nengroo and Arjmand Gulzar. “All such faces are behind indoctrination and conspiracies behind the terror strikes,” said an official on the condition of anonymity.
Gul was found involved in hatching a criminal conspiracy, in connivance with other members of the LeT, to eliminate Shujaat Bukhari, a prominent journalist, along with two of his personal security officers, at the busy Press Enclave area of Srinagar on June 14, 2018. Earlier this year, on April 20, 2022, Sajad Gul was declared as a designated terrorist by the Centre. "In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 35 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, the central government hereby makes the following amendment in the Fourth Schedule to the said Act, namely:- In the Fourth Schedule to the said Act, after serial number 36 and entries relating thereto, the following serial number and entries shall be inserted, namely:— '37. Sheikh Sajad @Sheikh Sajjad Gul @Sajjad Gul @Sajjad Ah Sheikh'," the notification reads.
Sources said the central agencies have collected clinching evidence against them and that new cases with fresh evidence were being filed in this regard. |
