Top Lashkar handler gets ‘terrorist’ tag

NEW DELHI: The Centre on Thursday designated Mohammad Qasim Gujjar, a top Lashker-e-Taiba (LeT) terror handler based in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and one of the masterminds behind the January 2023 twin attacks in Rajouri’s Dhangri village that left seven civilians dead, as a “terrorist” under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

Announcing Mohammad Qasim Gujjar alias Salman alias Suleman inclusion as the 57th entry in Fourth Schedule to UAPA — which lists individual terrorists — home minister Amit Shah posted on X: “An operative of the Lashker-e-Taiba, Mohammad Qasim Gujjar has caused numerous deaths and injuries with terror attacks and is involved in planning war against Bharat”


Shah warned that “anyone found involved in activities against the unity and integrity of the nation will be dealt with ruthlessly”.

An MHA notification on Thursday said Qasim is involved in terrorist activities that include coordinating logistics and identifying locations for drone-dropping of arms, ammunition, IEDs, cash and also delivering and managing consignments from across the border into J&K. It added that he was creating new terror modules by recruiting and radicalising youths via social media and encrypted chat applications.



Qasim is originally from Mahore tehsil in Reasi district of Jammu region but had exfiltrated to Pakistan in 2002. He joined LeT ranks there and is currently considered the right-hand man of highly-placed LeT commanders in PoK including Saifullah alias Sajid Jutt. Qasim, along with Saifullah and another LeT handler Abu Qatal had come to India in 2002-03 and was active in Poonch-Rajouri area, had orchestrated the recruitment and dispatch of LeT terrorists from Pakistan to Rajouri to target innocent civilians, particularly from the minority community, as well as security personnel. According to the NIA chargesheet in the case, the Dhangri attacks, which happened in close succession at the start of 2023 and left two children among seven dead, were carried out under the directions of these Pakistan-based handlers.



Qasim ws also chargesheeted earlier by J&K police for the August 2021 grenade attack on local BJP leader Jasbir Singh’s house in Rajouri, which had claimed the life of his two-year old nephew.



Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, and Mini Crossword.