Lashkar-e-Taiba Operative Umer Harris Escapes to Saudi Arabia Using Forged Identity
In a significant security breach, Umer Harris, a high-ranking operative of the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), has fled to Saudi Arabia after using a forged Indian passport, officials revealed to PTI on Sunday. The fugitive, who goes by the alias "Khargosh" (meaning rabbit), originally hails from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan and is now believed to be residing in Saudi Arabia, evading capture through sophisticated document fraud.
Systemic Loopholes Exposed in Passport Verification
The investigation, spearheaded by the Srinagar Police, has uncovered alarming gaps in India's passport issuance and verification systems. Harris obtained the forged passport under the fake name "Sajjad," posing as a resident of Rajasthan. This document was crucial in facilitating his escape, raising serious concerns among central agencies about systemic vulnerabilities that enable such misuse by terror networks.
Officials stated that the case, registered earlier this month by the Jammu and Kashmir Police, is likely to be transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for a more comprehensive probe. Key details have already been shared with state police forces across India to enable swift action and plug critical security gaps, highlighting the inter-state nature of the terror module.
Background and Movements of Umer Harris
Contrary to earlier reports linking him to Karachi, investigators have now confirmed that Umer Harris is from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He joined Lashkar-e-Taiba to avoid police action in Pakistan, where multiple arson cases were pending against him in Karachi. In 2012, the terror outfit pushed him into Jammu and Kashmir, where he infiltrated the Kashmir Valley from the northern side.
Harris earned his alias "Khargosh" due to his ability to move swiftly and evade security dragnets. He lived in areas across Bandipora and Srinagar, eventually marrying the daughter of an LeT Over Ground Worker (OGW) in Jaipur under his assumed identity, "Sajjad." This marriage later played a pivotal role in supporting his fraudulent passport application, further exposing lapses in verification processes.
Recent Arrests and Module Bust
The unraveling of this inter-state LeT module began with a major operation launched on March 31, closely monitored by DGP Nalin Prabhat. Srinagar Police arrested five operatives, including Pakistani terrorist Abdullah alias Abu Hureira, who had been on the run for 16 years and had established bases outside Jammu and Kashmir. Another Pakistani national, Usman alias Khubaib, was also apprehended, marking a significant breakthrough in counter-terrorism efforts.
During interrogation, Abdullah disclosed detailed movements of himself and Harris across Rajasthan, Haryana, and Punjab, including the Jaipur marriage. The bride's father was detained for allegedly being aware of Harris's true identity. The operation also shed light on LeT's funding and financial networks, which heavily relied on forged identities and documents to build a multi-state terror infrastructure.
Local Support and Hideouts Uncovered
Among those arrested were three Srinagar residents: Mohammad Naqeeb Bhat, Adil Rashid Bhat, and Ghulam Mohammad Mir alias Mama. They are accused of providing shelter, food, and logistical support to foreign terrorists. The network started to collapse with Naqeeb Bhat's arrest from the Pandach area, where police recovered a pistol and incriminating materials.
Bhat admitted his links with LeT, stating that he procured arms from Adil Rashid of Zakoora and facilitated support for foreign terrorists. His disclosures led to the arrests of Mir and Rashid Bhat, both active operatives, and helped uncover multiple hideouts in forested areas around Srinagar. Officials categorized Abdullah and Usman as 'A+' militants, noting they had infiltrated India around 16 years ago and commanded about 40 foreign terrorists over the years, most of whom have since been neutralized.
Connection to Previous Terror Modules
This bust follows the exposure of the "Al Falah module" in November 2025, when Srinagar Police uncovered a network of radicalized professionals, including many doctors. One accused, Umer-un Nabi from Al Falah University, was behind an explosives-laden car that detonated outside the Red Fort on November 10, killing over a dozen people. Officials revealed he had made unsuccessful attempts to join terror groups in 2016 and 2018, underscoring persistent threats.
Investigators believe Harris fled to Indonesia before moving to Saudi Arabia between 2024 and 2025 using another forged travel document. Efforts are now underway through diplomatic channels to secure his deportation, as authorities work to tighten security measures and prevent future breaches.
