Security forces in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir have raised an alert following intelligence inputs regarding a potential plot by the “Afzal Guru Squad” of Jaish-e-Mohammad ahead of the anniversary of Afzal Guru’s execution. Afzal Guru, convicted in the 2001 Parliament attack case, was hanged on February 9, 2013.
The alert, issued on Thursday evening, warns of a possible Fidayeen-type attack orchestrated by the Jaish-e-Mohammad terror group. The “Afzal Guru Squad” was formed by Jaish-e-Mohammad following Guru’s execution and has since been involved in several deadly attacks across the country.
Security agencies, including the Jammu and Kashmir Police and sister intelligence agencies, are closely monitoring the activities of banned outfits like the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) in light of the alert. Notable attacks attributed to the “Afzal Guru Squad” include the deadly assault on the Sunjuwan army camp in Jammu in February 2018, and a similar attack on a BSF camp near Srinagar airport in October 201, among others. The outfit has also carried out fidayeen attacks, such as the one on the district police lines in Pulwama in August 2017, and the incident in the Nagrota area of Jammu in November 2016.
Authorities remain vigilant as the anniversary of Afzal Guru’s execution approaches, aiming to thwart any potential terrorist activities and maintain peace and security in the region.