Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, April 7 

Police in Jammu and Kashmir said they have dismantled a long-running safe-house and funding network linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), arresting five people, including two Pakistani nationals who had allegedly evaded capture for more than a decade.

Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat said the operation sent a strong message to militants. “You can run, but you can’t hide,” he said. 

Officials said Prabhat spent several days in Srinagar overseeing the operation.

Police identified one of the arrested Pakistani operatives as Hurera, also known as Abdullah alias Abu Hureira, who they said had infiltrated Kashmir years ago and built ties within local communities. Another Pakistani national, Usman alias Khubaib, was also arrested, Police said.

Three local residents – Muhammad Naqeeb Bhat, Adil Rashid Bhat and Ghulam Muhammad Mir, also known as Mama – were taken into custody for allegedly acting as over-ground workers, providing shelter, food and logistical support to militants.

A senior Police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the network was deeply entrenched. 

“This was not a temporary setup. It combined local support, financial channels and strategic hideouts to sustain terror activities over the years,” the officer said.

Security forces carried out coordinated raids at 19 locations across Jammu and Kashmir as well as the northern states of Rajasthan and Haryana. 

Officials said they recovered four AK-47 rifles, four pistols, and other materials.

Authorities also detained about a dozen people in Haryana and Rajasthan for allegedly helping a Pakistani militant flee the country. 

Investigators said the suspects may have facilitated escape routes and provided logistical support.

“The interstate dimension of this module shows how terror networks rely on facilitators across regions,” the officer said.

Police said Hurera played a central role in channeling funds for militant operations, with some transactions allegedly disguised as religious travel expenses.

Officials described the arrests as a significant blow to Pakistan-backed militant infrastructure in Kashmir. 

They said investigations are ongoing and more arrests are possible.

Police urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity, saying public cooperation has been key in preventing attacks and dismantling networks.