Udhampur terror attack: NIA gets photo of absconding Pakistan terrorist Abu Okasha

NEW DELHI: Adding to its ammunition against Pakistan, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has procured the photograph of one of the four Pakistani terrorists who had slipped into India in June for terror attacks.

The photograph of Abu Okasha, officials say, is yet another clinching proof against Pakistan. “The photograph has come to us from a reliable source and we are hopeful of catching Okasha soon as well. He is from Khyber Paktukhwa in Pakistan and 17-18 years of age. We have a reward of Rs 5 lakh on him,” a senior official of the security establishment said, when asked how the agencies had managed to procure the photograph of a absconding Pakistani terrorist. NIA had earlier this week released the sketch of Okasha along with that of another terrorist, Zhargham, who came with Naveed. Now, the photograph of Okasha is also out.

NIA has also released the photograph of LeT commander i n S o u t h Kashmir, Abu Qasim, who was the handler of the four terrorists. “The photograph of Qasim was available in the records. But the photograph of Okasha is a significant development,” an official said. NIA has also declared a reward of Rs 10 lakh on Qasim.

“Evidence has emerged that Abu Qasim or Abdur Rehman (a self-style commander of LeT in South Kashmir) had arranged logistics such as local transportation, accommodation and food for the 4 Pakistani terrorists. Qasim was also responsible for arranging resources, identifying targets, arranging transport and execution of terrorist attacks on BSF personnel,” NIA said.

Zhargham, Abu Okasha, Naved and Noman had come to India from Pakistan, Naved was later arrested while Noman was killed in a Fidayeen attack on BSF personnel earlier this month.