LeT network busted, 5 including 2 Pakistanis arrested: Police

Srinagar, Apr 7: In a major counterterrorism breakthrough, the Jammu and Kashmir Police has dismantled a long-running safe-house and funding network linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), arresting two key Pakistani operatives who had evaded capture for over a decade.

Sending a stern message to terrorists, J&K Director General of Police NalinPrabhat told Greater Kashmir: “You can run, but you can’t hide.”

DGP Prabhat had camped in Srinagar for several days, personally monitoring the operation throughout.

The LeT operatives, identified as Hurera — also known as Abdullah alias Abu Hureira — had reportedly infiltrated the Kashmir Valley years ago and embedded himself deeply within local communities. Officials said his arrest followed a sustained, intelligence-driven operation led by Srinagar Police in coordination with central security agencies.

Alongside Hurera, another Pakistani militant, Usman alias Khubaib, was apprehended, as well as three local associates from Srinagar: Mohammad NaqeebBhat, Adil Rashid Bhat, and Ghulam Mohammad Mir alias Mama. According to investigators, the local operatives acted as over-ground workers (OGWs), providing shelter, food, and logistical support to terrorists.

A top J& K Police officer told Greater Kashmir that Hurera had established a sophisticated support network in Srinagar and other areas.

A senior police official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “This was not a temporary setup. Hurera had built a deeply entrenched ecosystem over the years—combining local support, financial channels, and strategic hideouts to sustain terror activities.”

During coordinated raids at 19 locations across Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, and Haryana, security forces. Officiials said that  they recovered a cache of arms and ammunition, including four AK-47 rifles, four pistols, and other incriminating material.

Authorities also detained around a dozen individuals from Haryana and Rajasthan for assisting a Pakistani terrorist to flee the country. Investigators suspect these individuals played roles in facilitating escape routes, safe transit, and external logistical support.

“The interstate dimension of this module shows how terror networks are no longer confined to one region. They rely on a web of facilitators across states to survive and function,” the officer said.

Officials said Hurera played a central role in channelling funds for LeT operations. He allegedly received and distributed money to sustain terrorist activities in the Valley.

“Financial flows disguised as religious travel transactions are a growing concern,” a police official noted. “We are tracking these channels closely to dismantle the financial backbone of terrorism.”

Officials described the operation as a significant blow to Pakistan-backed terror infrastructure in Kashmir. “This arrest sends a clear message—no matter how deeply embedded or well-protected, terrorist operatives cannot operate with impunity. We will continue to dismantle every layer of support that enables such networks.”

The operation comes amid intensified efforts to counter hybrid threats involving infiltration, local radicalisation, and cross-border funding. Security forces have increasingly focused on dismantling OGW networks and sleeper cells that sustain terror activity.

All arrested individuals are currently being interrogated to uncover further links within the broader LeT ecosystem. Authorities believe more arrests could follow as the investigations are in progress.

Police have also urged citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.“Public cooperation remains crucial,” the official said. “Timely information from citizens has repeatedly helped us prevent major incidents and dismantle terror modules.”