In a significant operation on February 4th, the Delhi Police apprehended a man at the New Delhi Railway Station, who was identified as Riyaz Ahmed. Ahmed, who had recently retired from the Indian Army in January 2023, has been linked to the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a group notorious for its involvement in terrorism and cross-border arms smuggling.

This arrest comes in the wake of the Jammu and Kashmir Police dismantling a LeT network in the Kupwara district, which was reportedly planning terrorist attacks in the area. Riyaz Ahmed, alongside two associates named Khursheed Ahmed Rather and Ghulam Sarwar Rather, is accused of plotting to receive weapons and ammunition from across the Line of Control (LoC). These supplies, according to the police, were to be sent by LeT's overseers for the purpose of executing disruptive activities in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Delhi Police, in their official communication, highlighted the gravity of the situation by stating, "The accused, Riyaz Ahmed, was a retired army personnel and was actively involved in hatching a conspiracy along with his associates to receive arms and ammunition from across the LoC by the terrorist handlers of LeT for carrying out subversive activities in J&K."

Following the recent crackdown, over a week after Jammu and Kashmir Police dismantled a Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) based terror network by detaining five of its associates in the Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir, another breakthrough was achieved. This network was found to be actively involved in smuggling arms and ammunition into Indian territory, as directed by two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives residing in PoK. A significant cache of weapons was seized during the operation, demonstrating the scale of the illegal operation.

The arrests led to the capture of Zahoor Ahmad Bhat, who was discovered with an assortment of lethal weapons, including an AK series rifle, several magazines, numerous rounds, and pistols. Further investigation into Bhat's activities uncovered his connections with two LeT handlers based in PoK. These handlers were identified as the key figures in organizing the shipments of arms meant to fuel their criminal endeavors.

In a coordinated effort, both Delhi Police and the Railway Police played a crucial role in apprehending Riyaz Ahmed at the New Delhi Railway Station. Ahmed's attempt to evade capture by fleeing from Exit Gate Number 1 was thwarted by the alert police personnel on site. During the interrogation, Ahmed disclosed his travel details, revealing that he arrived from Jabalpur on the Mahakaushal Express along with his associate, Altaf. They reached Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station on January 3rd, around 3 PM. It was also unveiled that both Ahmed and Altaf had recently retired from the Indian Army on January 31st, 2023, adding a layer of complexity to the case due to their military backgrounds.

After his arrival in the capital, Riyaz Ahmed opted for an auto-rickshaw to travel from Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station to New Delhi Railway Station. This move was part of his attempt to evade law enforcement but the Delhi police, already on high alert, were steps ahead. DSP Railway KPS Malhotra revealed that the Delhi police were tipped off by Jammu and Kashmir investigating agencies about Ahmed's movements. They were informed that Riyaz Ahmed, hailing from Kupwara, was implicated in a LeT module recently exposed by the authorities and was expected to arrive at New Delhi Railway Station. With this intelligence, police teams were strategically deployed to apprehend him upon arrival. The operation was underpinned by the anticipation that Ahmed was attempting to flee to an undisclosed location.

Lashkar-e-Taiba operative, Riyaz Ahmed, arrested from New Delhi railway station

Upon his arrest, the Delhi police seized a mobile phone and a SIM card from Ahmed, evidencing his preparedness for further covert activities. Legal proceedings were promptly initiated against him, with charges being framed under several sections. Specifically, a case was registered under Section 120B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which deals with criminal conspiracy, along with Sections 7 and 25 of the Indian Arms Act, catering to illegal arms possession and activities. Furthermore, stringent sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) — Sections 13, 18, 20, 23, 38, and 29 — were applied, reflecting the seriousness of his alleged terrorism-related offenses. The Jammu and Kashmir police, who had been trailing his activities as part of the broader investigation into the LeT module, were duly notified about Ahmed's arrest, ensuring a coordinated approach in dismantling the terror network and preventing future subversive acts.

The discovery of a terror module operating out of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) has led to significant breakthroughs in counter-terrorism efforts within the region. This module, based in Kupwara, has been linked to a series of arrests in the Karnah area, where five individuals associated with the network were taken into custody. Their involvement primarily revolved around the illicit smuggling of arms and ammunition across the India-Pakistan border, a tactic aimed at fueling terrorist operations within Indian territory.

One of the individuals apprehended in this operation was Zahoor Ahmed Bhat, whose capture yielded a substantial haul of weapons. Authorities managed to seize AK series rifles, multiple magazines, rounds, and pistols from Bhat, highlighting the serious threat posed by this module. The investigation revealed that Bhat had established communication lines with LeT terrorist handlers situated in PoK. These handlers were responsible for orchestrating the supply of weapons, which were intended to bolster terror activities in India.

The arrest of Bhat and his associates represents a critical step in disrupting the flow of arms intended for terrorist activities within the country. However, the case remains open, with authorities continuing their investigation to uncover further details about the network and its operations. This ongoing effort aims to dismantle the infrastructure supporting terrorism in the region, ensuring the safety and security of the nation.