Overview
- Kathua Police carried out an overnight operation that arrested Haji Latief and placed him in custody for interrogation, a development reported on Tuesday.
- Officials allege Latief spent about two decades as a facilitator for Pakistan‑based groups Jaish‑e‑Mohammed and Lashkar‑e‑Taiba and helped at least 12 Pakistani operatives enter Jammu and Kashmir.
- Investigators say Latief maintained links with senior Inter‑Services Intelligence contacts and is being questioned to map infiltration routes, identify overground workers and trace logistics networks.
- Security forces have reinforced pilgrim protection ahead of the July 3 Amarnath Yatra by deploying AI‑enabled cameras, running drone response drills and commissioning Doppler weather radars for the Baltal and Pahalgam routes.
- The arrest follows sustained concerns about cross‑border infiltration and extreme weather; officials say the intelligence from Latief could lead to further arrests and improve coordination among police, the CRPF and the Army to safeguard pilgrims.