Intelligence reports, accessed by dna, reveal the routes and strategy adopted by the Laskhar militants to evade security forces trailing them for a week.
Intelligence agencies in Jammu and Kashmir had received credible information about movement of a group of 10 Lashkar militants a week before June 25 Pampore attack in which eight CRPF personnel were gunned down.
According to highly placed sources, soon after receiving information about the militants, intelligence agencies had taken stock of the security situation in Srinagar and southern Kashmir, however maneuvering by the 10 LeT militants gave two of its attackers ample time to attack a CRPF convoy in Pampore. Intelligence reports, accessed by dna, reveal the routes and strategy adopted by the Laskhar militants to evade security forces trailing them for a week.
The intelligence reports reveal that information was received about a group of 10 militants, led by Abu Ghaznavi and Majid Bhai, reaching Malangam village of Bandipora on June 18 itself. The group, however, moved to Srinagar the next day on June 19. Intelligence documents read that in all probability out of "two terrorists killed in retaliation by CRPF at Pampore one was Majid Bhai
It is being believed that two militants from the group of 10 were given the responsibility of carrying out an attack in Pampore while the remaining eight militants were further divided into two sub-groups. Senior intelligence officers believe that the division of the group into three could have been diversionary tactics employed by the militants or a signs of a multi-pronged plan to attack at multiple places in J&K.
dna on June 28 reported about the conversation between a Lakhkar commander and an overground worker about carrying out a Pampore style attack in the next two days. The commander mentions that he had sent two militants who must carry out the attack in the next two days without causing damage to civilian population.
Agencies based on inputs now also believe that some members of the group of 10 might be given the responsibility of carrying out operations in south of Pir Panjal that includes area like Poonch, Rajouri and so on.
"A group of eight terrorists has been further divided into two sub groups under the leadership of Majid Ahmed Zargar and Rahul Amin Dar,"intelligence documents state. According to intelligence officials Zargar was instructed by LeT commander Abu Dujana to move towards Kulgam districts Kahaipora and Kader, and Shopian districts Wahan area. Intelligence officials believe that the group will try to enter Pin Panjal belt to carry out their operations. According to sources Dar alongwith three militants moved from Pampore to Qazigund in a Tata Sumo. It is believed that Dar might have traveled through Srinagar as well before before halting at Jawahar tunnel area.
It is imperative to mention that the move to shift operations in Pir Panjal comes ahead of the Amarnath Yatra which starts on July 7. Even though in the intercept between Laskhar commander, based out of groups station house in Shopian, and an alleged overground worker, the commander is quoted directing his men to avoid collateral damage to civilians, security establishment in Kashmir are not taking any chances.
Earlier Burhan Wani, Hizbul Mujahideen's 22-year-old chief in a video message released online had said his group would not target Hindu pilgrims going to Kashmir for the Amarnath Yatra. However, security preparations ahead of the yatra have been tightened ahead of the pilgrimage.
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