Pakistani terrorists getting local support in recent Jammu attacks: Report
- In Reports
- 11:28 PM, Jul 10, 2024
- Myind Staff
In the wake of intensified terror attacks in the Jammu region, security and intelligence agencies have identified a troubling development. Two to three local terrorists from the Doda district, who had previously ex-filtrated to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), have infiltrated back into India along with Pakistani terrorists. These individuals are now believed to be facilitating attacks in Kathua, Udhampur, and Doda districts.
Sources within the security establishment disclosed that these local terrorists, who had crossed over several years ago, returned to the country approximately three months ago. "We have intelligence inputs suggesting that these local terrorists infiltrated with their foreign counterparts about three months ago," stated a senior security officer, requesting anonymity due to the ongoing investigation. "Familiar with the geographical terrain, they are aiding the foreign terrorists in identifying targets and safe havens in the jungles. Additionally, the role of local sleeper cells cannot be dismissed."
Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) RR Swain confirmed last week that some foreign terrorists had infiltrated. Intelligence sources revealed that Pakistani terrorists are using technology, such as the Alpine Quest mobile app and the Chinese Ultra Set handset, to navigate the terrain, communicate, and locate targets accurately. The Alpine Quest app, popular among trekkers, provides precise details of hills, rivers, and streams, even without internet connectivity.
Investigators of the July 8 Kathua terror attack, which resulted in the death of five soldiers and injury to five others in Bhadnota village of Machhedi area, found that the Alpine Quest app was used to select the target location. "We are examining whether the app has been utilised in all terrorist attacks in Jammu over the past year and a half," a police source indicated. This app allows terrorists to navigate dense forests and evade security forces effectively.
The Kashmir Tigers, a proxy group of the Jaish-e-Mohammed, have claimed responsibility for the Kathua attack. Investigations suggest that two groups of terrorists are active in the Jammu region, splitting into smaller cells of three to four terrorists, dispersed across the upper reaches of Doda, Kathua, Udhampur, and Reasi districts.
In May of the previous year, the Centre banned 14 mobile messaging applications allegedly used by terror groups in Jammu and Kashmir for communication with supporters and over-ground workers (OGW), as well as receiving instructions from Pakistan. The banned apps include Crypviser, Enigma, Safeswiss, Wickrme, Mediafire, Briar, BChat, Nandbox, Conion, IMO, Element, Second Line, Zangi, and Threema.
Recently, the Delhi High Court upheld the Centre’s order blocking the open-source messaging application Briar in Jammu and Kashmir, emphasising that in matters of national security, the principles of natural justice can be bypassed. Briar operates on technology that allows direct messaging without internet connectivity.
Encounters with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir have also led to the seizure of encrypted Chinese telecom devices, Ultra Set handsets. These devices bypass traditional mobile technologies like GSM and CDMA, operating on radio waves for message transmission and connecting to a master server in Pakistan via Chinese satellites.
Image source: PTI
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