NIA closes in on Kashmir's most lethal terror handler

Srinagar, Sep 1: The hunt for Abu Qasim, handler and mastermind of the Udhampur attack has intensified.

The National Investigation Agency which is probing the Udhampur case says that Qasim is operating out of the forests of Kulgam and Shopian in Kashmir.

The NIA which is piecing together information says that he has also been responsible for a series of infiltrations and attacks in the past as well.

Abu Qasim armed and dangerous

Qasim as per the confession of Mohammad Naved, had handled and masterminded the Udhampur attack on the BSF convoy. Naved who was arrested is now in NIA custody.

The NIA has been conducting a detailed investigation on Qasim and have now learnt that a 2013 attack at Hyderapora was also carried out by him.

The 2013 Hyderapora attack claimed the lives of 8 soldiers and was carried out ahead of a visit by the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The NIA today has learnt that he is operating out of the Kulgam forests. Naved had met Qasim in the same area after he had infiltrated the NIA has also learnt.

Who is Abu Qasim?

Abu Qasim alias Abdur Rehman is a self styled commander of the Lashkar-e-Tayiba currently in South Kashmir.

He hails from Bhawalpur in Pakistan and is the one who arranged for the logistics, accommodation and food for four Pakistani terrorists who infiltrated into India.

While Naved and Noman carried out the Udhampur attack, the other two Zargham and Abu Okasha are still absconding.

The NIA says that Qasim was also responsible for arranging resources and also identifying the targets.

He also arranged for the transport for the terrorists and planned the Udhampur attack.

It is still unclear where the other two terrorists who had infiltrated along with Naved and Noman are.

Two days back, the NIA had picked up two persons on the basis of a sketch prepared.

The duo were picked up in Gujarat, but were let off as they were the wrong persons.

The NIA says that Zhargham alias Mohd Bhai and Abu Okasha had also infiltrated into India along with Naved and Noman.

Now the NIA has managed to obtained the photograph of Okasha which has been placed under the wanted list.

Okasha and Zhargham carry a cash reward of Rs 5 lakh each while in the case of Qasim, the bounty is Rs 10 lakh.

The NIA says that the whereabouts of these persons is not clear as yet. Qasim may still be in South Kashmir, an officer says.

The NIA however maintains that none of the these terrorists have left India as yet.

OneIndia News