New Delhi: The counter-intelligence unit of the Jammu and Kashmir Police have said in a statement that they had busted a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) module which was operating in South Delhi, masquerading as a textile shop in a popular market.
The shop—’Shalimar Textiles’—was run by Mohammad Ayoub Bhat from Budgam district, in the Kashmir zone. The J&K Police have identified him as a “key financial conduit” for Lashkar’s terror activities in the Kashmir Valley.
“Working hand in glove with him was Mohammad Rafiq Shah, a resident of SDA Colony Bemina, Srinagar, both of whom were at the nerve centre of this covert financial operation,” the Kashmir counter-intelligence unit said in a statement Wednesday.
Sources in Jammu and Kashmir Police said that Ayoub Bhat was a part of the Lashkar module for around eight to 10 years. “He facilitated movement of funds amounting to Rs 4 crore through pilgrims, expatriates and businessmen who frequented his shop in Lajpat Nagar,” a Jammu and Kashmir Police officer told ThePrint requesting anonymity.
The search operation was launched by a joint team of the Kashmir counter-intelligence unit and the Delhi Police as part of a probe into a case registered at the Srinagar counter-intelligence police station in 2024 under sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code.
The counter-intelligence unit said that the textiles shop was being used as a cover by its owner, Ayoub Bhat, and his handlers to recoup money sent from abroad for terror activities.
“The case unravels a chilling conspiracy orchestrated by handlers and commanders of proscribed terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) from across the LoC, who, in connivance with Pakistani nationals settled in Gulf nations and other foreign territories, are pumping terror money into the heart of Kashmir through a network of couriers disguised as pilgrims, businessmen, and expatriates,” the Kashmir counter-intelligence unit further said in a statement.
During searches, the counter-intelligence unit said digital devices establishing suspicious communications with Pakistani-based handlers were found along with incriminating evidence related to foreign remittances routed through underground hawala networks.
(Edited by Viny Mishra)
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