After 16 years on the run, Pakistani LeT operative Abu Hureira arrested in J&K crackdown

Security forces have arrested a Pakistani terrorist linked to the banned outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in Jammu and Kashmir, ending a 16-year-long manhunt, officials said.

The accused, identified as Abu Hureira, was apprehended during a coordinated operation by Jammu and Kashmir Police as part of a broader crackdown on a Pakistan-backed terror network operating in the region.

According to reports, Hureira had been active in Jammu and Kashmir for over a decade and a half and was considered a key operative within the Lashkar-e-Taiba network. Security agencies had been tracking his movements for years before finally locating and arresting him.

Officials said the arrest is part of efforts to dismantle an interstate module with links to Pakistan-based handlers. The network is suspected to have been involved in facilitating infiltration, providing logistical support, and aiding militant operations in the region.

Hureira is believed to have played a significant role in coordinating activities for the terror outfit, including managing operatives and assisting in recruitment and movement of militants. Authorities are currently interrogating him to gather further intelligence on the network’s operations and cross-border links.

The arrest is being seen as a major breakthrough for security forces, given the duration for which the accused had managed to evade capture. Officials said the operation highlights sustained intelligence-based tracking and coordination among agencies.

As part of the crackdown, multiple individuals linked to the network have also been detained or are under investigation. Security forces have intensified operations in the region to identify and neutralise remaining members of the module.

Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan-based militant organisation, has been involved in several attacks in India, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir, and remains a key focus of counter-terror operations by Indian agencies.

Authorities said further details about the network and its activities are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses. Efforts are also underway to identify local support structures that may have aided the operatives.

The development comes amid continued efforts by security forces to curb militancy and dismantle terror infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir through sustained operations and intelligence-driven action.

Officials reiterated that operations will continue to target both active militants and support networks to prevent future attacks and maintain security in the region.