Abdul Qayoom, Suspected Close Aid of Hafiz Saeed, Arrested by BSF

Abdul Qayoom was reportedly entering India by crossing the border with four others who fled later.

File photo of Hafiz Saeed. (Photo: Reuters)

Border Security Force (BSF) officials arrested suspected Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) member Abdul Qayoom in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday.

The arrest was made in the Pargwal region of Akhnoor sector while Qayoom was allegedly trying to infiltrate into India, Border Security Force (BSF) Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Dharmendra Pareek said.

A mobile phone, and two sim cards were recovered from Qayoom. He is believed to be working closely with 26/11 convict and LeT leader Hafiz Saeed.

He has been frequently changing statements to mislead the security agencies. We had encircled him as he touched the fence and kept waiting for others who may have followed him. As no one followed him for some time, we apprehended him. He appears to be an educated person and speaks in English.

DK Upadhyaya, BSF Inspector General, Jammu Zone to <i>The Indian Express</i>

A resident a Sialkot, Qayoom was leading four others into the country, reports The Indian Express. While he was caught while trying to cut and enter the fence, the others fled back.

The arrest was made days after four terrorists believed to be a part of Jamaat-ud-Dawa killed 18 Indian Army soldiers in a camp in Uri sector. The attack was followed by another one in Poonch.

(With inputs from ANI and The Indian Express)