Author: Times News Network
Publication: The Times of India
Date: August 8, 2015

Introduction: Disclosure By Jihadi Rings Alarm Bells
 
Udhampur attacker Mohammad Naved alias Usman lived and travelled unnoticed in J&K for nearly 60 days before striking the BSF convoy, thanks to ample help from a string of local contacts.
Aiding them were not only local LeT handlers, militants and overground workers but also civilians like owners of the house in Chursoo, Awantipora, where they stayed soon after infiltrating, truck driv ers, a baker, a welder and shopkeepers.
 
The disclosure by the terrorist during the course of his interrogation has led security agencies to fear that Lashkar and other jihadi outfits may have succeeded in building a network of local collaborators within Kashmir which may facilitate infiltrators from across the border. Naved hinted at a network of local collabo rators which may facilitate infiltrators from across the border at the time of their choosing.
 
He also told his interrogators that he was sheltered in family homes and not just safe houses.
 
Intelligence sources said the patronage of “regular“ families was one of the important reasons why Naved and other members of Lashkar sleeper cells remained undetected for over a month and could move across the Valley with nobody finding anything amiss. “We have a task on our hands,“ said a senior intelligence source, stressing the need for better ground intelligence.
 
As per details of Naved's preliminary interrogation, Naved, Noman (his accom plice in the Udhampur attack), Okasha Pakhtoon and Mohd Bhai started from Halan in Pakistan on May 27 and reached the border a week later on June 2. They cut the wire at Fajja Top and used GPS sets to find their way into Kashmir, traveling nearly 18 km to Babarishi, Tangmarg.
 
Ashiq Bhat alias Obaida received them and arranged for their travel to Chursoo in Awantipora. Here they stayed at the house of locals (whose identity is being withheld so as not to affect further investigation) for four days. For the next 40 days, which coincided with Ramzan, they hid at Khrew along with other freshly-infiltrated militants. The hideout was visited by several cadres of LeT based in south Kashmir.
 
It was only on July 23 that five militants -Naved and four others, Dujana, Shahin Gulzar, Shoket Lone and Abu Ukasha -were picked up from the house and taken away in a truck. While Naved and Dujana were dropped at Kakpura, the remaining three militants were taken to Pulwama. Interestingly, the second vehicle was intercepted by the J&K police but the militants managed to flee.
 
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SPENT RAMZAN HIDING IN J&K
 
Ø Naved, Noman and two others start from Halan in Pak on May 27, reach border on June 2. Cut the wire at Fajja Top and enter Kashmir
 
Ø Two men received them, arrange for travel to Chursoo in Awantipora. They stay at locals’ house for 4 days
 
Ø For the next 40 days, falling during Ramzan, they hide at Khrew. On July 23, Naved taken to Kakpora. Meets a baker and an LeT militant
 
Ø Naved soon moves to a welder’s house in Redwani where LeT handler Qasim meets him. He brings Noman and briefs duo on Aug 5 attack