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The individuals likely underwent radicalisation within J&K, often through online propaganda, and then leveraged the relative freedom of movement afforded by legal documentation
A security official keeps a vigil on the banks of Dal Lake, in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terrorist attack, in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. (PTI)
Pakistan is no longer relying on LoC crossings and is instead radicalising Kashmiri youth online and providing them valid travel documents to enter the country, marking a major shift in its Kashmir terror strategy, top intelligence sources have told CNN-News18. These youths, due to their domain knowledge, are then used as handlers for foreign terrorists.
The sources revealed that post-2014, Pakistan-backed agencies have evolved their tactics to recruit and radicalise Kashmiri youth into terrorist organisations using legal documentation. This strategy avoids the risks and logistical challenges of illegal LoC crossings, leveraging the relative freedom of movement afforded by legal documentation.
These individuals likely underwent a process of radicalisation within Jammu and Kashmir, often through online propaganda and contact with extremist elements or local networks. The selection of individuals with a “hardcore ideology” suggests a deliberate effort to recruit those who are more committed, resilient, and capable of handling weapons and carrying out attacks effectively. This addresses the perceived timidity and lack of intrinsic motivation among some previously recruited local individuals.
More than 300 J&K residents travelled to Pakistan on valid travel documents, and reports indicate that no less than 40 individuals ended up as active collaborators. These deep-rooted assets of the adversary receive illegal arms and ammunition training in the camps of proscribed terrorist organisations. They join terrorist organisations, infiltrate illegally through the border, and actively carry out terrorist attacks on civilians and security forces in J&K. At least 15 individuals were killed in different encounters upon their return to J&K.
Currently, nine individuals are confirmed to be active terrorists, indoctrinated, hardcore, and well-trained. Some stayed back in Pakistan, joining separatist groups and providing background support to terrorist activities in J&K through secessionist narrative building and fuelling unrest.
One such case is Adil Ahmed Thoker, a prime suspect in the Pahalgam attack. Adil travelled to Pakistan on an Indian Passport no. R-1196812 in 2018, strongly supporting this scheme. Born in 1992 in Guree, Uranhall Bijbehara, Adil completed his education up to Class 12 in Bijbehara, a BA from Govt Degree College, Anantnag, and post-graduation in Urdu from Rehmat Alam College Anchidora, Anantnag, in 2018. He worked as a private teacher in MMI School, Shamsipora, Anantnag, for two years.
A deeply religious person, Adil often attended religious congregations and last rites of killed terrorists. On April 25, 2018, under the pretext of attending an examination in Jammu, Adil travelled to Pakistan on April 27 via the Attari border on an Indian Passport and joined the banned terrorist outfit LeT. He is believed to have returned with other terrorists in 2024.
- Location :
Jammu and Kashmir, India, India
