Crucial Arrest in Pahalgam Terror Plot: Man Apprehended for Aiding Militants

In a significant development stemming from the recent encounter in the Brenti-Batkoot forests of Pahalgam, security forces have apprehended a key individual accused of providing extensive logistical support to terrorists. Mohammad Shafi Dar, a resident of Batkoot, Pahalgam, was taken into custody for his alleged role in aiding the militants who were neutralised during a fierce exchange on March 2.

The operation, which led to the elimination of two terrorists by a joint team of the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police, marked a crucial victory against terror elements operating in the region.

Following the successful neutralisation of the militants, a meticulous investigation was launched to dismantle their support infrastructure and identify local facilitators.

During the course of the rigorous inquiry, intelligence inputs and evidence pointed towards Mohammad Shafi Dar. According to preliminary investigations, Dar had reportedly met the slain terrorists on at least four separate occasions, actively assisting them in establishing a clandestine hideout within the dense forest terrain.

His alleged involvement extended to providing essential provisions such as food and shelter, critical for the militants' sustained presence in the area.

Sources indicate that Dar's assistance was instrumental in enabling the terrorists to operate with a degree of local support, allowing them to evade detection for a period.

His arrest underscores the persistent challenge of local networks providing aid to terror outfits, a factor often exploited by groups attempting to destabilize peace in Jammu and Kashmir.

The encounter itself was initiated based on specific, actionable intelligence regarding the presence of terrorists in the Brenti-Batkoot forests.

Security forces, acting swiftly and decisively, launched a cordon and search operation which escalated into a full-blown gunfight. From the site of the encounter, a substantial cache of incriminating materials, including arms and ammunition, was recovered, further highlighting the militant intentions.

The authorities have registered a case against Mohammad Shafi Dar under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Arms Act.

This arrest is seen as a vital step in unearthing the broader terror module operating in the region and disrupting its supply lines and local support base. The investigation remains ongoing, with security agencies committed to rooting out all individuals and networks associated with terror activities in Jammu and Kashmir.