Six Islamists from a single family, including four women, have been arrested for allegedly sheltering and aiding terrorists involved in the deadly Kathua encounter that claimed the lives of four brave policemen. The arrested individuals – Mohammad Yunus, Riyaz, Mahima, Zarina, Safima, and Sarabjan – are relatives of Abu Latif, a known overground worker (OGW) currently imprisoned for providing logistical support to terrorists in the region.
The family is accused of assisting the terrorists in their escape to the dense forests near Jakhole village after they carried out the deadly attack. Investigative agencies believe that this is part of a larger network operating in the region to provide safe passage and logistical assistance to Pakistan-backed terrorists infiltrating Indian territory.
J&K | Six Islamists from a single family, including four women, have been arrested for allegedly aiding terrorists involved in the Kathua encounter, in which four policemen were killed.
The family is accused of helping the terrorists escape to the forests near Jakhole village.… pic.twitter.com/sCBWLYMTJf
— Organiser Weekly (@eOrganiser) April 2, 2025
Abu Latif, the mastermind of the family’s operations, had earlier played a crucial role in facilitating the 2023 ambush on an Army convoy in Kathua’s Badnota village, which resulted in the martyrdom of five soldiers. His arrest exposed a vast terror-support network entrenched within local communities, and now, the capture of his family members confirms the continued presence of Islamist sleeper cells aiding terror elements in J&K.
Security forces have been closely tracking terrorist movements in the region since March 23, when intelligence reports suggested that heavily armed terrorists had infiltrated through the International Border into Saniyal village, located in the Hiranagar sector. The subsequent Kathua attack and the arrests of the six family members indicate a pre-planned strategy to provide cover and sustenance to these terrorists.
This incident once again exposes Pakistan’s persistent attempts to destabilise J&K by pushing terrorists across the border and creating local support networks. The role of overground workers like Abu Latif and his family members highlights the deep-rooted network that enables these infiltrators to carry out attacks on Indian security forces.
The arrested individuals are now being interrogated by security agencies to unearth more links and expose any additional collaborators who may have facilitated the terrorists’ movement and operations in the region. Meanwhile, counter-terror operations in the Kathua region have been intensified to eliminate any remaining threats.
Authorities have reiterated their zero-tolerance policy against those providing shelter to terrorists.
