Jammu and Kashmir Police on Monday announced that they had busted a major inter-state and transnational terror network linked to the banned groups Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGuH).

In a detailed statement, the police said that the operation was one of their biggest counter terrorism actions in recent years. “The operation has led to the arrest of key operatives and the recovery of a massive cache of arms, ammunition, and explosives during coordinated searches in J&K and other states, including Haryana,” the police said.

Officials explained that the case began on October 19 when several posters carrying threats from JeM were found pasted at different spots in Bunpora, Nowgam and Srinagar. The posters targeted police and security forces, warning them of attacks. Following this, the police registered an FIR under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), the Explosive Substances Act, the Arms Act, and several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at Nowgam Police Station.

As the investigation unfolded, police said they uncovered what they called a whitecollar terror network. It included radicalised professionals and students who were allegedly in contact with handlers based in Pakistan and other countries. “The group has been using encrypted channels for indoctrination, coordination, fund movement, and logistics. Funds were raised through professional and academic networks under the guise of social and charitable causes,” the statement said.

The accused were reportedly involved in identifying and radicalising recruits, raising funds, and procuring weapons and materials for making IEDs. Those arrested include Arif Nisar Dar alias Sahil of Nowgam Srinagar, Yasir ul Ashraf of Nowgam Srinagar, Maqsood Ahmad Dar alias Shahid of Nowgam Srinagar, Molvi Irfan Ahmad of Shopian, who also serves as an imam at a local mosque, Zameer Ahmad Ahanger alias Mutlasha of Wakura Ganderbal, Dr Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie alias Musaib of Koil Pulwama, and Dr Aadil Rather of Wanpora Kulgam.

A crucial lead came from Haryana, where a room in a Faridabad lodge was found to have been rented by Dr Muzammil Shakeel, a Kashmiri doctor and teacher at Al Falaha University. During a joint operation by Jammu and Kashmir Police and Haryana Police, officers recovered about 360 kilograms of suspected ammonium nitrate and a cache of arms and ammunition from the site.

“Additionally, the roles of a few more individuals have surfaced and they will be traced during the ongoing investigation. Searches were conducted at multiple locations by J&K Police in Srinagar, Anantnag, Ganderbal, and Shopian. Similarly, J&K Police also conducted searches in Faridabad in coordination with Haryana Police and in Saharanpur with UP Police.”

Police said the raids led to the recovery of incriminating documents, electronic devices, arms, ammunition, and materials used to make IEDs. The recovered weapons included one Chinese Star pistol with ammunition, one Beretta pistol with ammunition, one AK-56 rifle with ammunition, and one Krinkov rifle with ammunition.

Investigators also found nearly 2900 kilograms of IED-making material that included explosives, chemicals, reagents, inflammable substances, electronic circuits, batteries, wires, remote controls, timers, and metal sheets.

“Financial investigations regarding the flow of funds are ongoing, and all linkages are being traced and addressed expeditiously. This investigation is a testimony to the diligent efforts and unflagging determination of the concerned team. J&K Police remain steadfast and committed to stamping out the scourge of terrorism,” the police said.