Kathua Police Arrest ISI-Linked Top Facilitator of Pakistani Terrorists in Overnight Operation Ahead of Amarnath Yatra

New Delhi: In a major breakthrough ahead of the annual Amarnath Yatra, the Kathua police have arrested a top terrorist facilitator, Haji Latief, during an overnight operation. 

Officials confirmed that he had been actively working for over two decades as a facilitator for terrorists linked to both Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), assisting Pakistani terrorists with infiltration into India and providing logistical support for attacks on security forces.

According to investigators, Latief helped at least 12 Pakistani terrorists cross into Jammu and Kashmir and facilitated their movement by arranging shelter, transport, and other operational necessities. 

The probe further revealed that several senior commanders of the banned terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) had met Latief after crossing into India through the International Border from Pakistan's Sialkot sector.

Investigators also noted that he remained in touch with senior officials of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), helping coordinate infiltration routes and logistical networks for terrorists entering Indian territory. 

Security agencies are now interrogating Latief to gather more intelligence on infiltration modules, overground worker (OGW) networks, and cross-border terror infrastructure still operating in the region.

Security Tightened Ahead of Amarnath Yatra

The arrest comes just days before the annual Amarnath Yatra, scheduled to commence on July 3, with authorities on high alert over fresh terror threats and adverse weather conditions. Acting on intelligence inputs, the Jammu and Kashmir Police have significantly strengthened the anti-terror security grid along the pilgrimage routes.

AI-enabled surveillance cameras, digital scanning systems and enhanced monitoring networks have been deployed across base camps and along the Baltal and Pahalgam routes to ensure the safety of pilgrims.\

Inspector General of Police (Kashmir Zone) V.K. Birdi said fresh terror threats had been flagged and that comprehensive measures were in place to prevent any attempt to disrupt the pilgrimage.

"Fresh threats have indeed been flagged, and the Jammu and Kashmir Police is adopting comprehensive safeguards to prevent any attempt by terrorists to disrupt the pilgrimage. All arrangements have been streamlined to guarantee a secure and smooth yatra," Birdi said.

Apart from security concerns, authorities are also preparing for unpredictable weather after Jammu and Kashmir witnessed multiple cloudbursts, hailstorms and flash floods in recent weeks.

To improve disaster preparedness, the administration has commissioned Doppler weather radars in Srinagar, Banihal Top, Jammu and Leh, along with an integrated early warning system, special rescue teams and real-time weather monitoring mechanisms.

Kashmir Divisional Commissioner Anshul Garg said weather conditions along both the Baltal and Pahalgam routes, as well as the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, will be monitored continuously.

"Doppler Weather Radars (DWRs) have been commissioned in Srinagar, Banihal Top, Jammu and Leh to ensure continuous monitoring of weather conditions on both the Baltal and Pahalgam routes, as well as the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway," Garg said.

He added that display boards installed along the route would provide pilgrims with advance weather updates.

Drone Mock Drill Conducted in Anantnag

As part of the enhanced security arrangements, Jammu and Kashmir Police recently conducted a mock drill in Anantnag simulating a rogue drone sighting along the Khanabal-Sanal Crossing stretch.

Officials said the exercise tested surveillance, communication and rapid response capabilities, with the anti-drone detachment activated to neutralise the simulated threat. The drill was aimed at improving coordination among security agencies and ensuring strict adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

The multi-layered security architecture, coupled with strengthened disaster response measures, reflects the administration's efforts to ensure a safe and smooth Amarnath Yatra this year.