lashkar-e-Tayyeba (leT) terrorist Bahadur Ali, alias Saifullah — recently caught alive by the security forces in Jammu & Kashmir — is a trained jehadi who had attended Daur-e-Aam sessions at Chela Bandi terror camp near Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK).
Dubbed as a major catch by the Union Home Ministry, Ali is expected to spill the beans on the modus operandi of the terror group in Pakistan and the local support network in fanning violence in J&K.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday questioned the Pakistani national working for the terror outfit, about the involvement of his group in spreading violence in J&K.
Ali, who dropped out of school in class four, hails from Jahama village of Raiwind in lahore and was arrested from Yahama village in Mawar area of Qalamabad, Handwara, in North Kashmir on July 25. The Army had recovered one Under Barrel Grenade launcher, three AK-47 rifles, two pistols and Rs 23,000 from his possession. He was also carrying a radio communication set.
He had infiltrated on July 22 along with two more leT terrorists, Saad Bhai and Darda Bhai (a lashkar Ameer) who were liquidated by the security forces earlier this month in a counter-terror operation. Saad Bhai conducted Daur-e-Khas training sessions for leT jehadis. All three had entered the hinterland with the help of a local guide in the Valley. While his accomplices were killed, Ali was captured alive.
Ali has confessed that he hid his weapons in Manasbal forest for later use and that he was trained at the Chela Bandi terror camp which is approximately a two-hour drive from Muzaffarabad in POK. He learnt how to handle weapons, read maps and operate GPS devices.
During his training in POK, Ali was brainwashed by the leT trainers who “informed” him and other trainees like him about the “atrocities” being committed in India on Kashmiri Muslims.
A team of NIA officials led by a Deputy Inspector-General took custody of the 22-year-old terrorist from Handwara court and brought him here for a thorough interrogation and some tests.
The terrorist had told his interrogators in Srinagar that he had been hiding in the forests of Handwara and receiving infiltrating groups from POK before sending them further into the Valley, the sources said.
The interrogation of Ali, who has been brought on a five-day NIA remand, is expected to throw some light on the sudden spurt of infiltration into the Valley.
Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju called Ali a “very good catch” and said his arrest would lead to many successes. He said the arrested terrorist would be a “big handle for us”.