The National Investigation Agency has alerted the Army after alleged Pakistani Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Bahadur Ali revealed that his handlers showed him a video of a pre-decided infiltration route, highlighting the landmarks on the Indian side.
“Ali and two other terrorists were taken to one Mandakuli detachment near the LoC, where they were shown important locations on Google maps. The handlers also showed them a video of the landmarks along the infiltration route,” said an NIA official. The Army had enhanced security along the Line of Control.
Before they were to cross the barbed-wire fencing, Ai said, their guide assured them that Pakistani Army men were keeping a close watch on the activities of Indian forces and that the route was “clean.” Ali and the other two crossed two fences that were damaged in the heavy snowfall last winter, on June 11 and 12.
“These disclosures corroborate the statement of Naveed, another Pakistani national, who was arrested in connection with the BSF convoy attack at Udhampur in August last year,” said the official.
Ali, whose father earlier served in the Pakistani police, has requested that he be allowed to meet his family members. At NIA’s instance, the External Affairs Ministry has approached the Pakistan High Commission for consular access. Ali has eight siblings.
Several locations According to the agency, the maps seized from Ali also highlighted locations in Delhi, Jammu and Udhampur, indicating that his handlers based in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir planned to send him to other places in India as well to carry out terrorist activities.
“However, days before he was caught, he had been instructed on a wireless set to mix with the locals during rallies in Kashmir post the killing of Burhan Wani and lob grenades on Indian security forces to create disturbance. During interrogation, he disclosed that he thrice attempted to throw grenades, but did not succeed,” said the official.
The NIA probe has revealed that a high-power radio communications centre codenamed Alpha-3 was set up in PoK with the help of Pakistani forces to remain in contact with the LeT cadres operating in Kashmir.
