The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken decisive steps in the Kokernag encounter case from 2023, marking a significant breakthrough in counter-terrorism efforts. Today, the NIA Special Court in Jammu received a chargesheet against two individuals, Mohd Akbar Dar and Ghulam Nabi Dar, both residents of the Kokernag area in Anantnag district, Jammu & Kashmir.
The chargesheet, filed under various sections of the IPC, Arms Act, and UA(P) Act, sheds light on the week-long encounter in the Guri Nad Forest, Halpora Kokernag, where terrorist Uzair Khan, affiliated with The Resistant Front (TRF), an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), was neutralized by security forces. Uzair Khan, an active LeT-TRF member, had a history of involvement in terror activities against security forces in the Anantnag area, utilizing Pakistani handlers for support. Despite previous encounters, Khan had managed to evade capture, exploiting the rugged terrain to his advantage.
Investigations unveiled the complicity of Mohd Akbar Dar and Ghulam Nabi Dar as Over-Ground Workers (OGWs) for Uzair Khan and his cohorts. The duo provided crucial support to terrorists by divulging security forces’ movements, offering logistical aid, and harboring militants, exacerbating the threat landscape in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
The resurgence of LeT, a long-standing terrorist organization, alongside its offshoot TRF, underscores the persistent challenge posed by extremist outfits in the region. Leveraging social media platforms like Twitter, Telegram, and YouTube, these groups exploit vulnerable youth, propagating their nefarious agenda under the guise of jihad.
The case, initially registered at PS Kokernag, Anantnag, on September 13, 2023, underscores the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies in curbing terrorism and maintaining peace and stability in the region. Re-registered by the NIA on December 5, the case represents a pivotal moment in the ongoing battle against terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir.