New Delhi: The 9 terror camps, which were hit by the Indian forces three days back in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), were chosen because of their key role in bleeding and hurting this country over decades.
Although all the 9 operated with the patronage of the Pakistani military, 4 of them were being run by Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror outfit, 3 by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror outfit and 2 by Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) outfit.
Four of them – 2 of JeM and one each of LeT and HM -- were located in Punjab Province of Pakistan while three – one each of all the 3 outfits -- were situated in PoJK.
In Punjab Province, JeM had Markaz Subhan Allah in Bahawalpur and Sarjal or Tehra Kalan in Shakargarh in Narowal. LeT had Markaz Taiba in Muridke near Lahore and Markaz Ahle Hadith in Barnala. HM had Mehmoona Joya in Sialkot area of Punjab.
In PoJK, LeT had Shawai Nalla camp in Muzaffarabad while JeM had Syedna Bilal Camp in Muzaffarabad. HM had one camp – Maskar Raheel Shahid in Kotli.
Some of these facilities comprised a huge complex having multiple functionalities, including madrassas where thousands of young boys would be recruited and groomed into extremely radicalised jihadis, ready to bleed India.
Others were small complexes, merged with a Hospital/Clinic or some other Health facility, to camouflage the real evil activities of lodging, training and launching of terrorists across to Jammu and Kashmir.
For example, while the LeT’s camp in Muridke, the headquarters of the terror outfit, is a huge complex spread over 82 acres, there is a 3-room single-storey building near the IB in Sialkot which serves as a facility to lodge and launch HM terrorists across the border.
Lashkar-e-Taiba:
Markaz Taiba has been the most important radicalisation and training centre of the LeT, which was designated as a terrorist outfit by the US and several other countries in 2001.
The facility, also the alma mater of several top global terrorists, is like a ‘terror factory’ as it serves as a venue for radicalisation of students to motivate them to join armed jihad.
Interestingly, part of the complex was built with Rs 10 million donated by the Al-Qaeda chief Osama Bin Laden.
LeT chief Hafiz Saeed and other top terrorists, including Zaki-Ur Rehman Lakhvi have houses within this complex.
The Markaz enrolled around 1000 young children annually and produced radical jihadis. This, in fact, is the place where all the 10 perpetrators of 26/11 Mumbai attack, including Ajmal Kasab, were imparted ‘Daura-e Ribbat’ (intelligence training) at the behest of Pakistan’s ISI.
The facility is considered the fountainhead of LeT terrorism, as Dawa’h from other sects of Islam to Ahle Hadith (being followed by LeT) is being conducted here only. This markaz provides the strategy to LeT, and also religious justification for Ghazwat-ul-Hind.
Markaz Ahle Hadith is another main camp of the LeT located in Bhimber district in PoJK. It was being used mainly as a launching pad for infiltration of terrorists and movement of arms/ammunition into Jammu and Kashmir via Poonch/Rajouri/Reasi sector.
It can accommodate 100 -150 cadres and around 40 – 50 cadres are usually present there, supervising terror activities being organised from this Markaz.
This Markaz was used as a launch pad for infiltration of terrorists Saifullah Sajid Jutt and Abu Qatal Sindhi (killed in March this year). The duo planned and executed attacks targeting civilians, including the January 1, 2023 attack in which 7 civilians were gunned down in Dhangri in Rajouri and the attack on bus carrying pilgrims in Reasi on June 9 last year in which 9 civilians were killed.
Shawai Nallah Camp is also one of the most important camps of LeT and is used for recruitment, registration and training of LeT cadres.
This camp, located near Chelabandi bridge on Muzaffarabad-Neelum Road in PoJK, has been functional since early 2000.
This complex, also known as Huzaifa Bin Yemen and Bait-ul-Mujahideen camp, includes a firing range, training ground, Madrassa for cadres, and around 40 rooms.
It also has a large accommodation for LeT cadres along with residences for LeT terrorist commanders & instructors.
This facility is used as base camp for imparting ‘Daura-e-Aam training’ (general training), which includes religious indoctrination, physical training, tactical training regarding use of GPS, map reading and arms training for rifles and grenades.
The new inductees would be welcomed by LeT chief Hafiz Saeed on their arrival and after completion of initial training at this camp, cadres are sent to other LeT camps for higher grade terrorist training.
Shawai Nallah Camp is also used from time to time to organize specialized weapons training for LeT cadres.
LeT has been using this camp for organizing refresher courses for its already trained commanders/cadres.
Pak-ISI also facilitates holding training at this camp by providing trainers of Pak Army to provide weapons training to LeT terrorists.
From here, LeT terrorists are sent to launching facilities located near North Kashmir including those located in Athmuqam, Leepa, Dudniyal, Tejian& Kel.
LeT commander, Abu Dujana is in-charge of the camp and is assisted by Qamar Bhai, who looks after training schedules for cadres.
There was resurgence in activities in this camp since 2023 and construction works have been going on to increase the capacity of this camp to accommodate more LeT cadres for training.
Jaish-e-Mohammad:
Markaz Subhan Allah of JeM, the main centre of the terror outfit for training and indoctrination, is located at NH-5 (Karachi-Torkham Highway) on the outskirts of Bahawalpur at Karachi Mor in Punjab Province of Pakistan.
It is located at an aerial distance of 100.4 km (approx.) from the International Border with India opposite Khajuwala in Bikaner district of Rajasthan.
Spread over 15 acres, this Markaz serves as the operational headquarters of JeM and is associated with major terrorist incidents, including Pulwama attack of Feb 14, 2019 as the perpetrators were trained here.
The Markaz includes residences of JeM Chief Masood Azhar, de-facto Chief Mufti Abdul Rauf Asghar, Maulana Ammar and other family members.
Masood Azhar remains to be the de-jure chief of JeM and under the protective custody of Pak authorities at an undisclosed location in Islamabad/ Rawalpindi while the actual operations of JeM are carried out by Mufti.
JeM conducts regular arms, physical and religious training for its cadres at this facility where senior JeM functionaries such as Mufti Abdul Rauf Asghar and other brothers of Masood Azhar and his brother-in-law, Yusuf Azhar @ Ustad Ghouri, head of JeM’s (armed) wing reside.
More than 600 cadres can also be lodged at the complex which is operational since 2015 and was built with the help of both the provincial and federal governments of Pakistan, apart from funds raised by JeM from some Gulf and African countries including the UK.
In March 2018, a gymnasium was established inside the Markaz which also has a swimming pool for imparting rigorous swimming and deep-water diving courses for JeM cadres.
JeM also imparts 6 days archery training to its cadres and Shura members at the Markaz.
Tehra Kalan @ Sarjal facility, located in Shakargarh Tehsil of Narowal district in Pakistani Punjab, is the main launching site of JeM for infiltration of terrorists into J&K.
This facility has special significance for JeM due to its close proximity of around 6 kms from the International Border in Samba Sector of Jammu, J&K. It serves as the base for the digging of cross-border tunnels for infiltration of terrorists.
Interestingly, to conceal its real purpose, this camp is located inside the premises of a Primary Health Center in Tehra Kalan Village of Sarjal area, a tactic copied from the Hamas terrorist group of Gaza. There are multiple inputs about regular interactions of terrorists with Hamas leaders.
The terror backers, Pak ISI have facilitated setting up of such launch facilities along IB & LoC in Govt. buildings to hide/conceal terror infrastructure.
In-fact, a number of other facilities of JeM and HM in Punjab, Pakistan operate from Basic Health Units/ Primary Health Centre, which has been facilitated by ISI.
Pakistani ISI and JeM have developed a network of underground tunnels in Shakargarh area which is used for infiltration of JeM cadres into India. All the tunnels which have been dug across the IB in Arnia-Jammu Sector are handiwork of the handlers from this facility.
Sarjal facility also serves as the launching base for drones by which arms/ammunition/narcotics and warlike stores are dropped into Indian territory.
JeM has also been planning use of drones for infiltrating JeM terrorists into India by air.
This camp has a control room also, where the HF radio receivers and other communication facilities being used by the terrorists of JeM and Hizbul-Mujahideen are located. Instructions to terrorists operating in J&K are being communicated through encrypted mode from here.
The complex consists of single storey buildings wherein 6/7 rooms near the first entrance are used by doctors and staff members of PHC for health check-up of patients/public.
The two quarters near the parking and a hall are being used by JeM for their operational commanders and cadres.
20 – 25 JeM terrorists usually remain stationed at this JeM facility to supervise infiltration attempts and terrorist activities of infiltrated terrorists in India.
Shahid Latif (killed in 2023) was the launching commander of JeM who had motivated and launched terrorists to carry out the 2016 terror attack at Air Force Station, Pathankot. He also used to operate from the Sarjal launching facility of JeM.
Markaz Saidna Hazrat Abbas Bin Abdul Mutalib (Markaz Abbas) of JeM is located in Mohalla Roli Dhara Bypass Road in Kotli in PoJK, approximately 2 kms south-east of Kotli Military camp.
This building can accommodate around 100 - 125 JeM cadres and 40 – 50 JeM cadres are always present within premises of this Markaz at any point of time.
Hafiz Abdul Shakoor @ Qari Zarrar, a founding member and Shura member of the JeM Council, is the head of this Markaz.
Qari Zarrar, who lives in the three-storey building located adjacent to Markaz Abbas, is directly involved in planning and execution of terrorist attacks in J&K and is wanted by NIA for attack on Indian Army Camp near Baleeni Bridge, Nagrota, Jammu on Nov 29, 2016.
After the Pathankot attack, arms & ammunition stores of JeM, earlier stored in Daska Markaz in Sialkot, were transferred to Markaz Abbas in Kotli, PoJK.
Qari Zarrar himself carries arms and ammunition to Sialkot in his vehicle(s), whenever required.
Syedna Bilal Masjid is the main centre of JeM in PoJK, located opposite Red Fort in Muzaffarabad.
This facility, used as a transit camp for JeM terrorists prior to their launching into J&K, is spread over 8-10 Kanals and has family quarters, office building and office of Al-Rehmat Trust, charity wing of JeM.
At any point of time, 50-100 cadres reside in this facility and training is imparted by Pakistani Special Forces, SSG, as indicated by the photos retrieved from phones of killed JeM terrorists.
JeM operational commander and JeM head of PoJK, Mufti Asghar Khan Kashmiri is in-charge of the facility and Abdullah Jehadi@ Abdullah Kashmiri and Aashiq Nengroo (Indian Fugitive) also operate from this centre.
Mufti Asghar Khan Kashmiri and Abdullah Jehadi are wanted in the 2016 attack on Nagrota army camp in Jammu as they had planned and executed the assault in which terrorists entered the premises and fired indiscriminately upon the army personnel.
Mufti Asghar Khan Kashmiri had earlier participated in the Afghan war as well and was part of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (HuM) before joining JeM in 2000 on its formation.
Mufti Asghar Khan Kashmiri is very close to JeM head Masood Azhar and one of the most prominent operational commanders of JeM.
Ashiq Nengroo is an Indian fugitive and a wanted in the February 14, 2019 VBIED attack on a convoy of CRPF personnel at Lethpora, Pulwama, J&K, in which 40 CRPF personnel were martyred.
Hailing from Kashmir, he had possibly ex-filtrated and taken shelter under patronage of Pak-ISI and JeM in Pakistan.
On Dec 7, 2023 Aashiq Nengroo was involved in drone-dropping of a weapons consignment consisting of one AK-47, two AK magazines and five grenades in Sopore area for further delivery in South Kashmir.
He carries out these terror operations in India while being based in Syedna Bilal facility of JeM.
JeM commander, Abdul Rehman @Saad @ Shahid, a resident of Poonch, visited Markaz Syedna Bilal in 2013 prior to his arms training at JeM’s Training center at Balakot.
He was finally arrested on May 16, 2016 in Baramulla for his involvement in expanding the JeM network in J&K.
JeM Commander Sarfraz also operates from Markaz Syedna Bilal.
JeM terrorist Rehan Ali @ Ali Aslam (r/o Rawalakot, PoJK), who was killed in an encounter at Hiranagar sector of Jammu on June 11, 2024 had transited through Syedna Bilal before infiltration into Indian territory.
Another JeM commander Aashiq Baba, r/o Reasi, J&K who was arrested for his involvement in Nagrota Attack, 2016 had visited this facility and met with Mufti Asghar Khan Kashmiri and Abdullah Jehadi.
Hizbul Mujahideen:
Maskar Raheel Shahid camp of Hizbul Mujahideen, located about 2.5 kms from Mahuli Puli in Kotli district of PoJK, served one of the oldest facilities of the terror outfit which has caused a lot of bloodshed in Jammu and Kashmir since 1990.
It is a secluded facility and accessible only via a kuchcha track.
The camp is located in a hilly area and comprises barracks, four rooms being used for keeping arms & ammunition, office and for residential purposes for terrorists.
A new facility for accommodation of cadres and instructors has been constructed in this campus.
A special designated electricity line is provided to this camp in this otherwise secluded area.
This camp is located in heavy forest cover.
It can accommodate around 150 – 200 HM terrorists.
Around 25 – 30 HM terrorists are usually present at this facility supervising terrorist activities being organised at this camp.
Pertinently, HM terrorists visit this facility particularly for taking arms firing training and specialized physical training.
In addition to providing conventional arms / physical training, this Camp specializes in training cadres for BAT/ sniping actions.
Terrorist cadres are taken to nearby hilly areas for training regarding fighting in such terrains. Survival training is also imparted at this camp.
HM Head Syed Salahuddin used to himself welcome newly recruited terrorist cadres at this facility and supervise training activities being held here.
At present the camp is being supervised by one Abu Maaz, who along with Abdul Rehman imparts training, especially to HM terrorists who participate in BAT actions targeting Indian security forces deployed at the border.
Before being hit, construction activities were taking place in this camp with an aim to accommodate more cadres.
Large amounts of propaganda material including posters, photos and videos of slain HM terrorists are kept at this camp and used to radicalize and motivate HM cadres to carry out violent ‘Jihad’ against India.
Despite USA declaring (June2017) HM Chief & Chairman of United Jihad Council (UJC), Syed Salahuddin a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) and the proscribing of HM outfit by USA (August 2017) and European Union (Nov 2005), the organisation is continuing to openly use its facilities like the Mehmoona facility to carry out terrorist training/ activities in Pak/PoJK and in order to execute terrorist operations in India.
Mehmoona Joya Facility of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) in Sialkot in Punjab Province of Pakistan is interestingly located near Kotli Bhutta Government Hospital.
The location near the hospital is deliberate to camouflage the evil activities carried out at this training camp.
It may be noted that Pakistani intelligence agency ISI, the masters of anti-India terror factory, have set up a number of training camps in Government buildings along the LoC and International Border. In-fact, a number of facilities of JeM and HM in Punjab Province of Pakistan operate from Basic Health Units/ Primary Health Centre.
The Mehmoona Joya facility is used for training and infiltration of HM cadres into Jammu region of J&K.
The head of this facility is Mohd. Irfan Khan @ Irfan Tanda, who has been involved in several attacks in Jammu region, especially in the capital city of Jammu.
The biggest among them was the serial blasts during the Republic Day function on January 26, 1995 in Maulana Azad Stadium of Jammu when the then Governor Gen (Retd) K V Krishna Rao was delivering the customary speech. He escaped narrowly but 8 other people were killed and 50 injured in the attack.
Irfan Tanda has led several infiltration bids from this HM facility into J&K and handles transportation/smuggling of weapons for valley-based terrorists from this facility.
Other important HM commanders who operate from this facility are Atta Al Rehman Alfezey @ Abu Lala and Maaz Bhai, who are both actively leading infiltration of HM terrorists into J&K from this facility.
HM terrorist Irfan Ghumman also operates from this facility and has been involved in orchestrating Border Action Team (BAT) attacks against Indian security forces in Jammu – Samba sector.
The facility consists of a single-story concrete building having three rooms, one kitchen and one bathroom respectively.
Quarters of the near-by hospital in the vicinity of the facility are used to accommodate HM cadres.
This facility can accommodate approximately 50 cadres at a time and around 20 – 25 terrorists are usually present at this facility at any point of time overseeing infiltration bids and terrorist operations in India.
Despite USA declaring (June2017) HM chief & Chairman of United Jihad Council (UJC), Syed Salahuddin a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) and the proscribing of HM outfit by USA (August 2017) and European Union (Nov 2005), the organisation is continuing to openly use its facilities like the Mehmoona facility to carry out terrorist training/ activities in Pak/PoJK and in order to execute terrorist operations in India.
It also raises funds to carry out terror activities in India with active support of Pak Establishment.
HM is banned (2002) by the Indian government under POTA.
