Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir have launched a manhunt to track down an Afghan war veteran, militant Abdul Rasheed Ghazi, who is believed to have infiltrated into the state from Pakistan last month.
Top sources in the security establishment told ThePrint that Ghazi has been handpicked by Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Maulana Masood Azhar to avenge the killing of his nephews, Usman and Talha Rasheed shot dead by security forces in the Valley and to train local recruits.
The sources added that Ghazi is an expert in Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and is one of the JeM’s main trainers in Pakistan Adminstrated Kashmir (PaK).
He is said to have infiltrated into Jammu and Kashmir on 9 December along with two other militants. Sources said that he is believed to be hiding in south Kashmir’s Pulwama region.
“Ghazi is an expert trainer and has been tasked with providing training to local terrorists and to avenge the killing of Usman and Rasheed,” a source said.
“Unlike in the past when local boys used to be trained in Pakistan Administrated Kashmir (PaK), they are unable to do so now. They pick up arms without any actual training,” another source said. “Ghazi is one of the key trainers across the LoC and his coming here is to impart more training.”(ThePrint)
