Uri: In a major achievement, Indian Army has caught alive a Pakistani terrorist who was trying to infiltrate into Kashmir via Uri sector of Line of Control (LoC), along with several other terrorists of Lashker-e-Taiba (LeT), seven of whom were killed in an operation that lasted 10 days.
The 19-year-old terrorist, identified as Ali Babar Patra of Dipalpur in Okara district of Pakistan's Punjab province, has revealed during his initial interrogation that the group of infiltrating terrorists were supported by the Pakistani side with three porters carrying up to the LoC a large consignment of arms and ammunition meant for attacks in India, a top Army official told reporters on Tuesday.
"The Pakistan post is opposite this Jaabri post. Movement of such a large people can not take place without active complicity of the Pakistani Army," said General Officer Commanding (GOC) Major General Virendra Vats.
During the entire operation which began on September 18 with the interception of the infiltration attempt, the Indian Army recovered seven AK rifles, nine pistols and revolvers, and more than 80 grenades of various kinds besides Pakistani and Indian currency.
Altogether seven terrorists were killed while Patra was captured alive, the Major General said while talking about thwarting of the infiltration attempt through the Salamabad Nallah.
"This is the same area through which we have had a history of infiltration in 2016, that is when a suicide attack at the Uri Garrison took place," he said, referring to the terrorist strike of September 19, 2016, in which 18 Indian soldiers were killed.
India had retaliated to the attack by carrying out surgical strikes at various terror camps located along the LoC over a huge stretch in PoK. Giving details about the operation, the Major General said, "The infiltrating group comprised of 6 infiltrators and two of them managed to sneak into Indian side while four others went back, taking advantage of darkness."
"Two terrorists who were in the process of crossing the fence, they sneaked down this side and once we realized all this, additional forces were mobilized but given that the civilian population maximum restrain was exercised to avoid any collateral damage during the operation. All this happened the night of 18th."
Talking about Patra, the Major General said he has admitted that he was a member of LeT and was trained by the outfit.
"He (Patra) said that he underwent a three-week (training) course in 2019 at Khyber camp in Muzaffarabad. Subsequently, he was sent home and thereafter he was recalled for some important task this year.
"He has also given the contact number of his mother, while he claimed that he was informed by his handlers that he was supposed to drop a supply in the area of Pattan in north Kashmir district of Baramulla."
He said, "But when we saw the recoveries that were made, it is quite possible that these infiltrators had come here for some kind of strike, which went beyond the supply drop.
"What we have also seen that there has been lot of movement in the launch pad across the LoC. An infiltration was also made when three terrorists were neutralised in the neighboring area, which show the desperation of Pakistan when they see peace and stability in Kashmir."
He said two of the terrorists entered this side while four went back to POK taking the advantage of wild grass and dense forest. Additional forces were mobilised and a massive search operation was launched, he said adding both the terrorists tried to escape to PoK a number of times but each time the Indian troops opened fire.
Maj Gen Vats said, "Finally, on September 25, a fresh contact was established with the terrorists and on the morning of next day (Sept 26) one of the terrorists was killed. However, another terrorist pleaded for his life and said he wanted to surrender and lay down his arms and ammunition. Keeping in view the traditions of the Indian Army we did not use any force against him. We do not use any force against any unarmed person."
He told the media, "The terrorist surrendered and we took him into custody. He identified himself as son of late Mohammad Lateef."
Pakistan is making desperate attempt to send more militants to create sensation in Kashmir, where total peace prevails and people are with the security forces, the Major General said.
The slain terrorist was identified as Atiq ur Rehman alias Qari Anas (33), belonging to District Attock in Punjab, Pakistan.
In reply to a question, he said Indian Army does not differentiate between local or Pakistani terrorists, noting if the terrorist is willing to surrender we will allow him.
He said the route taken by the terrorists to infiltrate was from Sawai Nala Camp to Hallan Shumali Launch pad to Jaabri, leading into Salamabad Nallah.
According to the officer, Patra said he was misguided and lured into joining LeT due to poverty, having lost his father early. His family in Dipalpur consists of his widowed mother and an adopted sister.
“The family belongs to lower class barely managing to make both ends meet. To escape poverty, the individual left school from government school after class seven.
“He underwent three weeks of preliminary training at the Garhi Habibullah Camp Khabar Pakhtoon in 2019 followed by refresher training in 2021.
“Most of the instructors being employed for physical and weapons training were Pakistan Army personnel.
“As per Patra, Atiq ur Rehman had given him Rs 20,000 for his mother’s treatment and promised to give him additional Rs 30,000 on safe return from Pattan, where the group was to deliver the war-like stores.
“However, it is evident that it had more nefarious designs which even the surrendered terrorist is unaware of,” he said.
The officer said false and fake narratives of “Islam being in danger” and perceived killings including the atrocities being committed against the Muslims in Kashmir was the main theme of indoctrination during the training.
“Apparently, Patra’s appeal for surrender, as soon as his mate was killed, highlights that he was not convinced about the Jihad narrative. Kashmir Valley is returning to peace, much to the discomfort of Pakistan and its proxies,” the Major General said.
According to him, Pakistan Army’s connivance in abetting infiltration continues as it is difficult to attempt crossing the LoC without active support of local Pakistan military commanders.
On September 23, the Indian troops had killed three terrorists at Rampur in Uri sector immediately after they sneaked into this side from PoK. (UNI)