J-K police have alerted their Uttar Pradesh counterparts about a Lashkar plan to recruit cadre for stepping up violence in the Valley. Sources said a Manipur-born LeT militant, who was arrested in Basantgarh area of Udhampur last month, revealed the plans to the police.

Mohammad Sadiq alias Abu Bakr was considered a prize catch as he happened to be the first to be arrested from the Northeast in connection with militancy in J-K. police have also started looking for another Manipur boy, Anwar, who had reportedly come to J-K along with Sadiq.

While police refused to divulge details, sources said Sadiq had gone to Meerut to join Deoband in 2004. He stayed there for two years and during this period, he came in contact with one Mushtaq, who introduced him to Anwar.

Mushtaq reportedly lured both Sadiq and Anwar to join the Lashkar and handed over the duo to a contact in Doda, said sources. Both were introduced to the Lashkar’s all-India coordinator, Khalid-ul-Rehman alias Abu Umar, who attached them with two groups, said sources. Sadiq went to Udhampur and

Anwar stayed back in Bhaderwah.

Within a few months, Sadiq got fed up with the outfit because of ill-treatment by other militants, said sources. One afternoon in August, when the group was hiding in Dudu village, Sadiq said he proceeded towards the nearby BSF camp to surrender. However, he was apprehended by a police party.