CIK arrests youth trying to join terror ranks in Budgam

Srinagar, May 2: Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) of J&K Police arrested a youth who was allegedly about to join ranks in a radical terrorist group.

Police on Thursday said Waseem Ahmed Shaikh of Beerwah, Budgam, in central Kashmir, was about to join Ansar Gazwat-ul-Hind (AGH), a radical group, on the motivation of some Pakistan-based terrorist handlers.

Police said that they received input on April 29 that AGH was trying to re-establish its base and revive its cadres in Kashmir.

In furtherance to this criminal conspiracy, one Pakistan-based terror handler of AGH identified as Hamzah alias Gazi has been brainwashing and radicalising Kashmiri youth to join terrorist ranks.

“It was further learnt that the group has brainwashed and cultivated a few committed hybrid OGWs in Kashmir and these hybrid OGWs in connivance with Pakistani terrorist handlers are planning a terrorist recruitment drive in the Valley.

The input was further developed technically and a brainwashed individual Waseem Ahmad Sheikh of Beerwah was identified on the ground and was accordingly detained for questioning,” Police said. “By this action of CIK, a recruitment module of AGH terrorist outfit has been busted and several youth saved from joining terrorism.”

It said that during preliminary investigation it was revealed that he was in constant touch with Pakistan-based terrorist handlers through virtual mode identified as aliases Zakir Bhai, Sulfe Bhai, Gazee Hams, Nisar Kaloch, Rizwaan Baie, Ansar Bhai, Wahid Bhai, Hyder Bhai, and Saifulla Bhai and was about to join AGH terrorist outfit by forming a new group.

“He had been further assigned to identify a group of youth willing to join terrorism with the AGH terrorist outfit. It was further revealed that the Pakistan-based terrorist commander had assured him of supplying arms and ammunition for him and his group in the coming days,” Police said.

The investigation further revealed that he was a part of many WhatsApp and Telegram groups associated with terrorist outfits. “Further investigation is on to identify other members of such groups to take further legal actions against them,” Police said.

Police urged the parents that they should keep an eye on the activities of their children using social media so that they do not fall into the trap.