Afghan national with links to Al Badr booked under UAPA for illegally entering India

Jammu and Kashmir police on Thursday booked an Afghan national under terror charges in Poonch district of Jammu. The apprehended Afghan national is said to be linked to terror group Al Badr and was allegedly sent into the Indian territory by the terror group as a guide for recce of routes to push terrorists into the Indian soil. Identified as Abdul Wahied, son of Sarwar Shakeel, the accused has been sent to a 10-day custody by the Munsif Court in Mendhar.

The accused was apprehended by the Indian Army in Balakote sector of Poonch on August 7 when he crossed over illegally to the Indian side.

A senior police official informed Republic that based on a complaint lodged by the Indian Army, the accused has been booked under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in Mendhar police station of Poonch. “We have booked Abdul under sections 13 (unlawful activity), 18 (indulging in conspiracy and terrorist act) and 20 (being a member of a terrorist organisation) of the UAPA,” he added.

Stating that Abdul is a resident of Kabul, Afghanistan, officials have noted that this is the first such incident where an Afghan national has been apprehended while crossing over to India in the recent past.

Abdul was handed over to J&K police for investigation, following which the Indian Army filed a formal complaint based on which the accused was booked under terror charges.