J&K's Gagangeer attack: Counter Intelligence Kashmir raids multiple districts, busts recruitment module

Police in the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir have swung into action after the recent terrorist attack in Gagangeer area of Ganderbal district in which seven people were killed.

The police department's Counter-Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) wing carried out multiple raids in six districts of the Kashmir Valley. The raids were conducted in districts – Srinagar, Ganderbal, Pulwama, Anantnag, Budgam, and Kulgam.

Top security officials said that ten locations were raided, on Tuesday (Oct 22) and security forces have recovered over a dozen mobile phones, one laptop and a lot of incriminating material. Around half a dozen people have also been detained during the raids for questioning.

The team was also able to dismantle a recruitment module of the newly formed terrorist organisation called "Tehreek Labaik Ya Muslim" (TLM), which is said to be an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

Also read: Seven people killed, few injured in terrorist attack at construction site in India’s Jammu and Kashmir

According to the sources, the group was being operated by a Pakistani terrorist handler known as Baba Hamas.

Security forces believe there were two terrorists involved in the Gagangeer terror attack. The terrorists barged into the mess area of the construction staff and fired indiscriminately at them.

It resulted in the death of seven people including a doctor from Budgam district of Kashmir Valley. Five people also were injured during the attack. Since then, security forces have been carrying out a massive search operation in the Ganderbal district and the forest area behind the tunnel construction site.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) team visited the attack site in Ganderbal on Monday. The team was led by a Superintendent of Police associated with the investigation agency's regional branch in the valley.

Watch | Jammu & Kashmir Terror Attack: 7 People Killed In Terror Attack On Civilians In J&K

Meanwhile, the former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mehbooba Mufti, early Tuesday took to social media and alleged that after the "barbaric attack" at Sonamarg, there are reports that the local admin is pressurising nonlocal labourers to leave the valley immediately. 

"After the barbaric attack at Sonamarg there are reports that the local admin is pressuring non local labourers to leave the valley immediately. While I understand their obvious sense of panic, asking them to leave in this manner is not a solution. Will only create more difficulties & send a very bad message to the country. J&K recently witnessed peaceful terror free elections & this knee jerk reaction will only prove otherwise. Might also cause outrage against Kashmiris working & studying in other states. Request Chief Minister @OmarAbdullah & LG @manojsinha_ ji to intervene & at least give them enough time," said Mehbooba Mufti.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police was quick to react to Mufti's social media post and said, "The recent post in the social media about non-local labourers being asked to leave, is completely baseless. The J&K police is committed to maintain security and a sense of safety to all intending to earn their livelihood." 

Security has been beefed up across the Kashmir Valley after the Gagangeer attack.