A terrorist group operating under the banner of Fitna al-Khawarij has been successfully eliminated in a counter-terrorism operation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), confirmed the Inspector General of Police (IGP), AJK. The operation, based on credible intelligence received on May 28, targeted militants including Zarnosh Naseem and his associates in the Hussain Kot area. During the encounter, the terrorists opened fire with automatic weapons, resulting in an exchange of gunfire that led to the killing of all four militants. Tragically, two police officers were martyred and five others sustained serious injuries during the operation.
The IGP praised the professionalism, coordination, and determination of the AJK police force, highlighting that this decisive action prevented a planned wave of terrorist attacks in the region. The dismantled group had been attempting to launch violent activities under the guidance of Afghanistan-based terrorists Dr Abdul Rauf and Ghazi Shehzad, who are accused of radicalizing Kashmiri youth and orchestrating attacks with alleged support from Indian intelligence agencies.
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Further investigations revealed that militants Zarnosh Naseem, Ulfat Ali, and Jibran had maintained contacts with these Afghanistan-based operatives for several months. The IG also linked the assassination of police constable Sajjad on October 27, 2024, to this group. The Fitna al-Khawarij faction was reportedly acting under the directives of Dr Abdul Rauf and Ghazi Shehzad, who have been actively involved in spreading jihadist narratives and coordinating terrorist activities targeting government officials, public gatherings, and key defense installations in AJK.
This successful operation underscores ongoing security efforts to curb terrorism and maintain peace in Azad Jammu and Kashmir amid persistent threats. Authorities continue to monitor and disrupt terrorist networks to ensure the safety of civilians and law enforcement personnel in the region.
