Police in J&K’s Rajouri arrest 3 for harbouring terrorists involved in 2023 Chassana encounter

Jammu, Sep 18 (IANS) Police in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district said on Friday that their team busted a Lashkar-e-Taiba logistics module by arresting three persons involved in harbouring terrorists involved in the 2023 Chassana encounter.

Officials said on Friday that in a major breakthrough, police have busted a logistic support module linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba in Rajouri and arrested three persons for allegedly harbouring and facilitating the movement of terrorists.

“During further investigation in case FIR No. 95/2026 of Police Station Dharamsal, Rajouri, it has emerged that three accused persons, all residents of Kot Charwal, were allegedly part of the module linked to the proscribed terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba.

“The accused have been identified as Mohd Azam son of Ali Bahadur, Zakir Hussain son of Ghulam Hussain and Mohd Mushtaq son of Mohd Iqbal.”

According to the investigation, the accused harboured and facilitated the movement of terrorists associated with the proscribed outfit. Their role in assisting, harbouring and facilitating the movement of terrorists who were subsequently killed in an encounter at Chassana, had come to the fore.

The Chassana encounter took place on September 4, 2023, in the Gali Sohab area of Upper Tulli, Chassana, in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir.

The encounter took place in Saab Gali/Gali Sohab near the Kalaban area, Upper Tulli Chassana. The joint operation was carried out by the Reasi Police and the Indian Army’s 33 Rashtriya Rifles (33RR).

In that encounter, one policeman and one Army personnel were injured during the initial exchange. One unidentified terrorist was found dead at the site the following morning after an overnight firefight.

Investigation further revealed that the accused had allegedly provided shelter and logistical assistance to multiple terrorist groups and facilitated their movement across Rajouri-Reasi districts and through the Pir Panjal region up to Shopian.

During the course of investigation, one pistol along with a magazine and ammunition, besides two Chinese grenades, were also recovered on the disclosure of the accused.

Further investigation into the case is going on.

–IANS

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