Mohammed Naved reveals details of PoK-India journey, logistics

NEW DELHI: Confession of arrested Udhampur militant, Mohd Naved, has given the details of his journey starting May 27 from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK), how he reached Udhampur and the names of those who provided logistical support. According to Naved, he started from Halan in Pakistan and reached the LoC on June 2.

He along with three others, including Noman, who was killed in Udhampur, sneaked into India and for nearly 20 kilometers traveled with the help of GPS. The two others who came with Naved were identified as Okasha Pakhtoon and Mohd Bhai, both from Khyber Pakhtunwa. They reached Tanmarg-Baba Rishi Marg on June 7 where they were received by a local, identified as Aashiq Bhat alias Obaida.

The four then split into two teams and stayed at different places with the help of local contacts. Naved has named these people and a search is on to arrest them, sources said. Naved also told his interrogators that several of Lashkar cadre in the valley visited them and provided them with money and other supports, besides updates on the movement of troops.

On July 23, Naved and Noman, along with six LeT cadre, were picked by a driver from a hideout and were dropped at Phulwama. The truck in which they were travelling, according to Naved, was intercepted by police but they managed to escape. He claimed that the six LeT militants including the divisional commander in south Kashmir, were being helped by locals.

An LeT militant identified as Qasim instructed Naved and Noman to carry out a fidayeen attack and also arranged for a vehicle for them from Phulwama, Naved said. They crossed the toll plaza in the truck at 2 pm. The two stayed for the night at Tamatar more near Patnitop and in the morning left for Jammu. Naved claimed that he stopped at Kashmiri hotel en route to Udhampur for having tea and after reaching Udhampur, they targeted a BSF convoy.