sANDEEP bHAT
Early Times Report
Jammu, July 3: Four days after his apprehension along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, Mohammed Arif Ahmed, a resident of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), remains uncooperative with investigating agencies, sources revealed on Thursday.
The 22-year-old, identified as a terrorist guide, was arrested on June 29, 2025, near the Hajura post in the Gambhir area of Rajouri district while attempting to facilitate the infiltration of four Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists into Indian territory.
Initial interrogations have uncovered Ahmed’s deeper ties to terrorist activities, with startling revelations pointing to his association with the proscribed terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). According to officials, Ahmed confessed to working under the direction of the Pakistani Army, leveraging his knowledge of the LoC’s rugged terrain to guide terrorists across the border. “He admitted to aiding infiltration attempts, but he’s been evasive, withholding critical details about his handlers and the larger network,” a senior defence official stated.
Ahmed was apprehended by alert Indian Army troops after suspicious movement was detected in the Gambhir sector. While he was tactically captured, the four JeM terrorists accompanying him escaped by leaping off a steep cliff, retreating to Pakistani territory under the cover of dense foliage and adverse weather. Drone footage later revealed a blood trail, suggesting the fleeing terrorists sustained injuries. A mobile phone and Pakistani currency worth ₹20,000 were recovered from Ahmed, further corroborating his role in cross-border operations.
Investigators believe Ahmed’s connection to LeT, a Pakistan-based terrorist group responsible for numerous attacks in India, including the infamous Pahalgam attack on April 22, 2025, which claimed 26 lives, could provide crucial intelligence.
The Resistance Front (TRF), a known proxy of LeT, had claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack, escalating tensions between India and Pakistan and prompting India’s retaliatory Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in PoJK and Pakistan.
Despite ongoing interrogations, Ahmed has been dodging key questions, frustrating efforts to uncover the full extent of his involvement and the network supporting cross-border terrorism. “He’s well-trained in evading questions, likely coached to reveal only partial information,” an official close to the investigation said. The Army and other agencies are intensifying their efforts to extract actionable intelligence, which could strengthen India’s counter-infiltration grid along the LoC.
The arrest comes amid heightened security measures in Jammu and Kashmir, with recent operations like Operation Chhatru in Kishtwar targeting terrorist hideouts. Ahmed’s capture underscores the persistent threat of infiltration along the LoC and the role of local guides in facilitating terrorist movements. As investigations continue, security forces remain on high alert to thwart further infiltration bids and dismantle terror networks operating from across the border. |
