Retired Pakistani Army Soldier, Arrested at Delhi Station

Retired Pakistani Army Soldier, Arrested at Delhi Station on Alleged Lashkar-e-Taiba Links

The Delhi Police have arrested Riyaz Ahmed, a retired Pakistani Army soldier, on charges of being an alleged member of the proscribed terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) at the New Delhi Railway Station, as reported by India Today on Tuesday. The arrest took place on Sunday, revealing Ahmed’s active role in a conspiracy alongside two other individuals, Khursheed Ahmad Rather and Ghulam Sarwar, according to police statements.

In a released statement, the Delhi Police said, “The accused, Riyaz Ahmed, was a retired army personnel and was actively involved in hatching a conspiracy along with his associates to receive arms and ammunition from across the LoC by the terrorist handlers of LeT for carrying out subversive activities in J&K.”

This development comes shortly after the Jammu and Kashmir Police dismantled a terror module operating from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, arresting five terrorist associates in Kupwara district. The police seized a significant cache of arms and ammunition during the operation. Acting on intelligence, a suspect involved in arms smuggling from across the Line of Control (LoC) was apprehended, with ties to two LeT handlers based in PoK.

Riyaz Ahmed, a retired Pakistani Army soldier

The Delhi Police have apprehended Riyaz Ahmed, identified as an active member of the terrorist group Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) operating in Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir. The arrest follows the revelation of Ahmed’s significant role in the illicit procurement of arms and ammunition from across the Line of Control (LoC). The accused, reported to be a retired army personnel, was found in possession of a mobile phone and one SIM card.

The police emphasized that Ahmed played a crucial role in facilitating the transfer of weapons across the LoC. The arrest was made under relevant sections of the law, and officials from the concerned Police Station in Jammu and Kashmir have been notified for further necessary action.

Riyaz Ahmed Terrorist

This operation underscores the ongoing efforts by security forces to counteract and dismantle networks associated with terrorist activities, emphasizing the commitment to maintaining security and peace in the region. The recovery of a mobile phone and SIM card suggests potential avenues for further investigation into the network’s communication channels and operational methods.

Among those arrested was Zahoor Ahmad Bhat, found in possession of an AK series rifle, magazines, rounds, and pistols. Investigations revealed Bhat’s connections with two PoK-based LeT terrorist handlers, who played a pivotal role in dispatching weapon consignments to support illicit activities in the region. The coordinated efforts between the Delhi Police and the Jammu and Kashmir Police reflect the ongoing commitment to counter-terrorism measures in the country.

Who are Lashkar-e-Taiba

Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) is a notorious Pakistan-based militant Islamist Salafi jihadist organization that has gained global infamy. Established in 1985-6 by influential figures such as Hafiz Saeed, Zafar Iqbal, Shehbaz Abdullah Azzam, and several other Islamist mujahideen, the group played a significant role during the Soviet–Afghan War. Notably, it received financial support from Osama bin Laden, further entrenching its position in the complex landscape of militant organizations.

LeT’s primary objective, as stated by the organization, is the integration of the entire region of Kashmir with Pakistan. This longstanding goal has fueled tensions in the region, making LeT a focal point of international concern and condemnation. Its activities and objectives have led to its designation as a terrorist group by numerous countries, underlining the global consensus on the threat posed by the organization.

Affiliated with LeT are groups that share similar “ideological inclinations and motivations.” Notable among these are the Milli Muslim League, a political party, and Jamat-ud-Dawa (JuD), the organization’s “charity wing,” which emerged later. This strategic diversification allows the group to exert influence not only through militant actions but also through political and charitable avenues.

What sets LeT apart from many other militant organizations in Pakistan is its adherence to the Islamic interpretation of Ahl-i Hadith, akin to Wahhabism and Salafism. Additionally, the group publicly renounces attacks on the government of Pakistan and refrains from engaging in sectarian violence against fellow Pakistanis who profess the Islamic faith. This distinctive approach has garnered attention and, to some extent, set LeT apart from its counterparts in the complex landscape of Pakistani militant organizations.

In the larger context of regional and global security, Lashkar-e-Taiba’s existence and activities continue to be a significant focal point, prompting concerted efforts by various nations to counteract its influence and curb its potential for violence and instability.

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