Jaish over ground worker from Kashmir, deported from Qatar, arrested in Delhi

The police claim that Sofi, a resident of Bijbehara, was one of the most wanted associates of militants and a case against him was registered in Devsar area of Kulgam in Southern Kashmir. Sofi has been booked under several sections of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for his alleged involvement in collection of funds for JeM.

The investigators claim that an over ground worker of militants revealed that he along with other OGWs were collecting money from various districts in Kashmir for JeM. The police officials claim that the collected amount was handed over to Sofi who was staying in Qatar and was in contact with a Pakistan based militant Waleed Bhai for purchasing of arms and ammunition from Pakistan. Waleed was killed in an encounter in Kulgam in 2020. Immediately after the encounter police issued a look out notice against Sofi and a non-bailable warrant under 25 Police Act was obtained from the concerned court.

“Consequent upon the deportation of Sofi from Qatar to India, he was arrested at IGI Airport New Delhi. Further investigation is in progress,” read the official press release.

As per the list available on website of ministry of external affairs, India has not signed extradition treaty or extradition arrangement with Qatar. However, India has signed bilateral agreement with Qatar on combating drugs and related matters. A senior police official informed that Sofi was detained in Qatar a few weeks back and was brought to India via third country. Inspector General of police in Kashmir Vijay Kumar said that specifics of Sofi’s extradition couldn’t be disclosed. He also refused to share details of other Kashmiris living abroad, who are under the scanner of J&K police.

“Sofi was living in Qatar for over 18 months now and he had gone there primarily to find a job. His family members were also informed about his activities and some of them were summoned recently as well,” said a senior police official. Another official in the security establishment informed that Sofi was also operating some social media accounts, disseminating controversial and provocative messages.

Last year, police had managed to arrest a resident of southern Kashmir, who was extradited from UAE. He was running social media handles sharing videos of militants, encounters and protests from Kashmir.