Investigations into the recent terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district, in which three Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were injured, have pointed towards the alleged involvement of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist Mohammad Latif Bhat, sources said on Friday.
 

According to sources, the investigation so far suggests that Bhat carried out the attack at Akhran village in Kulgam on Wednesday. A large-scale search operation has been launched to trace him. One of the injured CRPF personnel is reported to be in critical condition.
 

Sources said the injured personnel were shown Bhat’s photograph and they identified him as one of the terrorists involved in the attack.
 

The attack took place at around 2.15 pm on Wednesday when terrorists emerged from a thick cluster of trees and opened fire on a CRPF post. The post is located around 75 km from Srinagar and approximately one kilometre from the strategically important Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
 

A senior official said CRPF personnel retaliated, preventing further casualties and forcing Bhat to flee the spot. Investigators suspect that another terrorist was accompanying him during the attack. Further investigation is underway.
 

Meanwhile, a senior official told The Tribune Group that police detained around 200 overground workers (OGWs) in Kulgam for questioning following the incident. They were subsequently released.
 

“Our entire effort is focused on eliminating Latif Bhat,” an official said.
 

Bhat is allegedly linked to earlier attacks in South Kashmir as well. These include an attack on two migrant workers in July in the Kelam area, near Akhran village.
 

He is believed to be the only remaining active terrorist in the Valley. The Jammu and Kashmir Police had recently said that Bhat was operating in parts of South Kashmir and had allegedly plotted attacks in Anantnag and Kulgam districts. Police had also stated that he was receiving support from some foreign terrorists.
 

The search for Bhat is continuing as security agencies investigate the circumstances surrounding Wednesday’s attack.