Another major terror module busted! J&K Police arrest 7 JeM-linked terrorists; arms and explosives recovered

Jammu and Kashmir Police have busted a major inter-state terror module linked with Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind. In connection with this case, two arrested were made in Saharanpur and Faridabad. 360 kg of ammonium nitrate was recovered from the individual arrested in Faridabad.

Key operatives of the terror module have been arrested along with the recovery of a huge cache of arms and ammunition, as well as explosives during coordinated searches across Jammu and Kashmir and other states, as per a press note released by the J&K Police.

On 19 October, a number of JeM posters were seen across Bunpora Nowgam, Srinagar, which were threatening and intimidating the police and other security forces, following which FIR No. 162/2025 U/S 13,16, 17, 18. 18-8, 19, 20, 23, 39 840 of the UAPA Act, section 61 (2), 147, 148, 152, 351(2) BNS, section 4/5 Explosive Substance Act and 7/25/27 Arms Act was registered, at Police Station Nowgam, Srinagar, as per J&K police.

After the FIR, an investigation was carried out, and revealed a “white collar terror ecosystem” involving professionals and students radicalised into terrorist ideology who were in contact with foreign handlers based out of Pakistan and other countries, as per the press release.

“The group has been using encrypted channels, for indoctrination, coordination, fund movement and logistics. Funds were raised through professional and academic networks, under the guise of social/charitable,” the press release noted.

Investigations revealed that the accused in question were involved in recruiting personnel who were then radicalised and enrolled into their ranks. They were also raising funds, procuring arms, weapons and raw materials to manufacture improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and arranging logistics.

Here are the names of the seven individuals who were arrested in connection to the case:

1. Arif Nisar Dar @ Sahil-rio Nowgam, Srinagar

2. Yasir-ul-Ashraf rio Nowgam, Srinagar

3. Maqsood Ahmad Dar Shahid rio Nowgam, Srinagar

4. Molvi Irfan Ahmad (Imam of Masjid) rio Shopian

5. Zameer Ahmad Ahanger Mutilasha, rio Wakura Ganderbal

6. Dr. Muzammil Ahmad Ganale @ Musaib rlo Koil, Pulwama

7. Dr. Adeel rio Wanpora, Kulgam

Searches were conducted across Srinagar, Anantnag, Ganderbal and Shopian during the course of the investigation. J&K Police also conducted searches in Faridabad in tandem with Haryana Police and in Saharanbad in coordination with Uttar Pradesh Police.

Dr Adeel Rather, who used to work as a Senior Resident at GMC Anantnag until October 2024, was absconding after the police began looking for him. He was traced to a hospital in Saharanpur from where he was arrested.

Another individual among the arrested, Dr Muzammil, was working as a faculty member at Al Falah University.