Balakot terror training camp found mention in US file 15 years ago: WikiLeaks

Jihadi Rahman received training in Balakot, Pakistan, a region known to hold a "training camp that offers both basic and advanced terrorist training on explosives and artillery

Washington/Islamabad: The Jaish-e-Mohammed's major terrorist training camp in Balakot in Pakistan found a mention in a purported secret US Defence Department document leaked by WikiLeaks 15 years back. The memorandum refers to Guantanamo detainee, Hafez K Rahman, who was a 20-year-old Pakistani national, born in Gujrar, Pakistan and later turned out to be a jihadi.

Rahman received training in Balakot, Pakistan, a region known to hold a "training camp that offers both basic and advanced terrorist training on explosives and artillery," the January 31, 2004 document, signed by Major General Geoffery Miller of the US Army says.

The document adds that Rahman has confessed about volunteering to fight jihad against the United States and its allies and receiving training from the JeM. The terrorist advocates Jihad against the US and is directly supported by the Al-Qaida, Gen. Miller wrote.

"Detainee travelled to Zahir, Pakistan, and attended a training camp run by the JeM," he wrote.

Jaish is a Tier-1 terrorist group

With state support, JeM has been described as a Tier 1 terrorist group that has demonstrated the intention and the capability to attack US persons or interests. Rahman travelled with a larger group of JeM terrorists to the area around Konduz, Afghanistan, following basic training. The Northern Alliance captured him and turned him over to US forces.

The US Defence Department memorandum also said that he was subsequently sent to the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba in February 2002 due to his knowledge of the Moaskar training camp in Balakot, and his affiliation with the Taliban.