Budgam: The investigation into the local network that allegedly helped Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Hashim Musa hide in the forests has intensified after police recovered a bag containing medicines and food items near the encounter site in Budgam.
The bag was found near Palmaidan in the Kawan forest area, five days after Musa was killed. Investigators are examining who supplied the items and whether overground workers or other accomplices helped the slain terrorist remain hidden.
Security agencies believe identifying the local support network could help track other foreign terrorists operating in Jammu and Kashmir. Around 35 to 40 foreign terrorists are believed to be active in the region, particularly in the Pir Panjal forest belt.
Musa was killed during a joint operation by the Army, CRPF and Budgam Police’s Special Operations Group on the night of September 29-30. The operation was launched based on intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists in the densely forested area.
The recovery has been included in the investigation registered at Khansahib Police Station. Officials are now tracing the source of the supplies and identifying those who may have assisted Musa.
