Jammu, Aug 18 — A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Jammu has issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operational commander Mohammad Yaqoob, officials said on Tuesday.
Court order links Yaqoob to terror network exposed in Kashmir case
The NBW, issued last month, names Yaqoob — also known by aliases Abu Sumama, Sumama Ilyas and Waris Ali — as an absconding accused and a designated terrorist of Pakistani origin, the NIA court order dated July 16 said, according to officials.
Yaqoob was among 23 individuals listed as terrorists by the Union Home Ministry on July 4. The court order said he operates as an LeT operational commander from Islamabad (Chatta Bakhtawar) and is alleged to co‑ordinate financial and logistical support for LeT cadres active in Kashmir to carry out terrorist activities in India.
According to the NIA, the NBW was sought in connection with an ongoing investigation registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Arms Act and the Explosive Substances Act at a police station in Srinagar. The case traces back to the arrest of a motorcyclist, Mohammad Naqeeb Bhat, at Gujar Tent, Pandach earlier this year and the recovery of a Chinese grenade and 15 live rounds.
- Arrest of Mohammad Naqeeb Bhat led to further detections and arrests.
- Investigation uncovered a network spanning multiple states and involving foreign handlers, the NIA said.
- Four more suspects were arrested, including two Pakistani nationals named Abdullah Rajput alias Kamran Ahmed and Khubaib alias Usman Jatt, according to officials.
The agency told the court that material collected during the probe and disclosures made by the arrested suspects revealed the involvement of Pakistan-based handler Mohammad Yaqoob. The NIA said Yaqoob had provided directions to the arrested accused to carry out terrorist activities in the Valley.
"Investigation had revealed the involvement of Pakistan-based handler Mohammad Yaqoob, based on material collected and disclosures made by the arrested terrorists," the order said, according to officials.
Context and previous court actions
The NIA court in Jammu has earlier issued a non-bailable warrant in a related matter. Since July 8, the court issued an NBW against Hafiz Saeed, the Pakistan‑based chief of the proscribed outfit, in connection with the Pahalgam terror attack case, officials noted.
The agency has linked the Srinagar‑registered case to a wider network. The discovery of a grenade and live ammunition during the arrest of Bhat prompted investigations that, the NIA said, exposed handlers and facilitators operating across state and national boundaries.
| Key date | Event |
|---|---|
| Earlier this year | Arrest of Mohammad Naqeeb Bhat; recovery of grenade and 15 live rounds |
| July 4 | Union Home Ministry designates Yaqoob among 23 terrorists |
| July 16 | NIA court order dated listing NBW against Yaqoob |
Officials said the Srinagar case led to the arrest of four additional suspects across different states and the identification of two Pakistan nationals allegedly involved in the network. The NIA's submissions to the court relied on investigative material and confessional statements made by the arrested persons, according to the court record cited by officials.
The issuance of the NBW against a Pakistan‑based operational commander underscores the agency's contention that handlers outside India have been directing and supporting cadres to execute terror acts within Jammu and Kashmir, according to officials. The NIA continues its probe and is expected to pursue legal and investigative avenues to bring the absconding accused to book.
No details were provided about any immediate steps for extradition or international cooperation in the order cited by officials. The court action follows intensified investigations into a cluster of cases in the Valley involving explosive devices and arms recoveries this year.
Officials emphasised that proceedings are underway and further information will be disclosed as the investigation progresses and as required by law.
