Three militants, OGW of Hizb arrested, say Police

Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, Munir Khan, in a  presser in Srinagar presented the three arrested militants before the media and stressed that local militants would be given a chance to surrender if they wish to do so.

He also pointed out that the joint appeal of forces for surrender has been received well.

Khan, while informing the media about the three arrested militants said that one of the arrested namely Gulzar Ahmed Dar was involved in a grenade attack on the cavalcade of R&B minister Naeem Akhtar in which three civilians and 30 others were injured persons.

Dar, a resident of Nagbal Tral, according to the police has confessed about his involvement in the attack.

“He is affiliated with JeM (Jaish-e-Muhammad) outfit. A pistol and ammunition was recovered from his possession, “Khan said.

Khan also said that Hizb is behind the recent bank robberies that took place in the South of Kashmir.

“Back to back bank robberies happened in Kashmir; one in Mirhama, Bijbihara and another in Shopian, where 5 lac and 1 lac were looted respectively. Hizbul Mujahideen has denied looting these banks, but the matter of the fact is that, we have identified them in cctv footages,” Khan said.

He added, “They claim that they (HM) don’t indulge in such activities which is a lie.”

Khan also said that the recent attack on a police vehicle in Damhal Hanji pora in which a cop died, Rameez Yatoo, the arrested over ground worker arranged the logistics for the militants.

Khan again reiterated that militants who want to surrender will be given full support and rehabilitation.

“We have made this commitment that those local militants who want to return back or surrender, and want to join the mainstream,  we will give them fullest support through our rehabilitation process as they(local militant) are our own people. Even if they surrender during encounters, we will accept them,” Khan said.

Khan’s appeal was endorsed by the Inspector General of the CRPF, who was also present during the press conference.

“Leave the way you are in and we will go a hundred steps to ensure your safety and rehabilitate and secure your future”, he said.

Khan also pointed out that their appeal for surrender which was made recently in a joint presser with the Army and the CRPF, has been received well.

He also added that the police will go after the militant leadership to stop recruitment, which is a major concern.

“Our main concern is the recruitments. We want there should be no further recruitment. We will target the leadership of the militants because as leaders they are more involved in recruitments for their cadre,” he said.

While accepting that due to braid chopping, the fear factor has literally caged the women folk of the valley, Khan however added that the police is not receving any support from the alleged victims of braid chopping.

“I have been talking about braid chopping on daily basis. Initially, we couldn’t get any support from the victims. If they want to proceed our investigation, we need proper support from victims”, khan said.

He also pointed out that without any motive, no crime takes place and the police is trying to establish the motive behind braid chopping.

Khan further said that anti-social, anti-national elements and miscreants have jumped in, they have started using the situation to their advantage.

“Allegations are being leveled on security forces. We are here to protect the masses. If we undertake anti-militant operations, we do it to protect common masses,” Khan said.