MUZAFFARABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s (AJK) police chief, Rana Abdul Jabbar, on Thursday claimed to have foiled the designs of a terrorist network allegedly led by an Afghanistan-based ringleader who aimed to establish a local chapter of Fitnatul Khawarij in the region.

He made the statement at a press conference in his office following a fierce gun battle late Wednesday night in a dense forest on the outskirts of Rawalakot. The clash resulted in the killing of four alleged terrorists, while two police constables were martyred and five others critically injured.

Two of the slain suspects, identified as brothers Zarnosh and Jibran, hailed from Ghaniabad village in Bagh district.

According to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the group had been plotting attacks on key police and military installations, public places, and prominent political and religious figures to advance the violent agenda of Fitnatul Khawarij.

“We had been tracking them for the past three months, which thwarted all of their planned attacks,” he said.

The IGP claimed preliminary evidence suggested the group had been supported by India through proxies, with leadership figures including Afghanistan-based Dr Rauf—originally from Bagh—and Ghazi Shahzad, an escapee from Rawalakot district jail in July last year.

“Our enemy is using proxies like these terrorists to replicate in Azad Kashmir the same pattern of violence they have unleashed in Balochistan,” he alleged.

In response to a question, the IGP conceded that no concrete evidence of financial transactions to sleeper cells had been unearthed so far, though investigations were ongoing.

Referring to a targeted killing at a Rawalakot mosque in September 2023, he said investigators had traced the assassin’s funding to a UK-based Indian handler via Dubai.

“This evidence has already been submitted in court, where trials are underway.”

Regarding Wednesday’s encounter, he said further details could surface after the arrest of Dr Rauf, whom he identified as a member of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

“We will formally convey our findings to the Afghan government through Pakistan to seek his extradition.”

The IGP said seven members of the network had already been arrested, while four others — two Kashmiris and two Pakistanis — remained at large.

“We are confident of apprehending them soon,” he added.

He reiterated that the group’s aim was to establish a foothold in AJK under the banner of Fitnatul Khawarij, an alias for the TTP, but the police had preempted their plans.

“Our force will continue to make sacrifices to keep the region safe from terrorism.”

The IGP warned that the enemy, humiliated by recent failures, was now resorting to proxy warfare.

“But let it be known: we are fully alert and ready to crush any attempt to destabilise our homeland,” he asserted.

He also urged parents to remain vigilant and guide their children away from extremist ideologies.

“Terrorists have no religion. They exploit innocent youth in the name of Shariah for their vile agendas,” he said. “Tell your children this state and its institutions exist for their protection and welfare.”

He warned that anyone found aiding terrorists—even by providing mobile credit or transport—would face strict legal consequences.

Responding to another question, the IGP said two of the slain suspects were believed to be suicide bombers, given the severely mutilated condition of their bodies. However, forensic tests on their mobile phones and jackets were underway.

Earlier in the morning, AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq visited Rawalakot to attend the funeral prayers of the two martyred policemen and to inquire about the health of the injured officials at a local hospital.

Meanwhile, in Ghaniabad village of Bagh district, hundreds of people attended the funeral of the slain brothers in the afternoon, offering condolences to their father and other family members.

Several participants also delivered speeches on the occasion, calling for a judicial inquiry—led by a High Court judge—to ascertain the veracity of police claims regarding the duo.

Published in Dawn, May 30th, 2025