Conflict
More abductions of family members of police after Naikoo’s father arrested, Omar condemns as toll reaches 11
Hizb commandeer Riyaz Naikoo had reportedly tweeted about a ‘tit for tat’ after Naikoo’s father was arrested by the armed forces in a night raid on August 30.
Srinagar: In the past few days, 11 family members of police officials have been kidnapped by militants in different areas across Kashmir. Condemning the incident former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah said that the abductions of eleven relatives of policemen was a “very worrying reflection of situation in the valley”.
11 abductions! This is a very worrying reflection of the situation in the valley. What’s worse is the selective outrage – people/leaders who are so vocal about alleged security force excesses are silent about these abductions. https://t.co/8ucs3PWpJc
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) August 31, 2018
The conflict in Kashmir takes a dangerous turn with families on both sides being involved in the war.
ALSO READ: Asadullah Naikoo, father of Hizb commander Riyaz Naikoo arrested during nocturnal raid in Pulwama
Hizbul Mujahideen commander Riyaz Naikoo had reportedly tweeted about the kidnappings warning the armed forces about a ‘tit for tat’ after Naikoo’s father was arrested by the armed forces in a night raid on August 30.
The twitter handle cannot be verified at the moment.
Asadullah Naikoo, father of Riyaz Naikoo was arrested by the government forces during a night raid in Awantipora area of Pulwama district. According to reports, the 70-year old was detained after forces raided his house during the night. The cops have said that he has been detained for questioning. Apart from senior Naikoo, 18 youth have also been detained during nocturnal raids in several villages of Pulwama district last night.
ALSO READ: Homes of two militants allegedly set on fire by armed forces in Shopian
The Hizb Commander Riyaz Naikoo, according to police, is the brain behind militant recruitment. “Naikoo has motivational power and he has managed to persuade youth and brought them into the fold of the Hizb outfit,” police had said recently.
Recently, Naikoo had said that Amarnath Yatris were ‘guests and that the reports suggesting that militants were planning to attack them were baseless’. “Amarnath Yatra is not our target. They come here to perform their religious rituals. They (yatris) are our guests,” said Riyaz Naikoo, Field Operational Commander, in an audio clip released on social media.
Earlier on August 30, families of two militants in the Shopian district of Kashmir alleged that the armed forces set their homes on fire.
According to report in the English daily Greater Kashmir, the family members of a militant Shahjahan alleged that the armed forces raided their house in Amshipora village of the district.
Earlier, the authorities had sounded high alert across south Kashmir areas on Thursday after gunmen abducted seven persons connected directly or indirectly with the local police force.
Reports said the gunmen on Thursday evening abducted Zubair Ahmad, son of a policeman from Arwani area of Kulgam district; Arif Ahmed, brother of a middle-rung police officer from Arwani; Faizan Ahmad, son of a policeman from Kharpora, Kulgam; Sumar Ahmad Rather, son of a policeman from Yaripora, Kulgam; and Gowhar Ahmad, brother of a Deputy Superintendent of Police from Katapora, Kulgam.
Earlier on Thursday, gunmen abducted Nasir Ahmad, son of a policeman from Midoora Tral. Gunmen had on Wednesday abducted Asif Ahmad, son of a local policeman Rafiq Ahmad Rather, from Pinglish village of Tral in Pulwama district. Following this alarming development, authorities have sounded a high alert across south Kashmir.
The authorities also decided to launch a massive operation in south Kashmir areas to check the alarming trend of militants going after relatives of police personnel.
Reports here said a high-level security meeting was held by top brass of security forces on Thursday evening where it was decided that a massive manhunt would be started with the first light on Friday to trace the abducted persons.
Also, on August 30, Syed Shakeel Ahmad, elder son of the UJC chief, was arrested by the NIA during a raid at his residence in Rambagh area of Srinagar yesterday.
Another son of Salahuddin was arrested by the NIA in October last year. He is lodged in Tihar Jail since.
On August 29, a team of the Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday raided the house of Hurriyat leader Altaf Ahmad Shah, who was detained up by the NIA in the alleged terror funding case.
According to the family, the raid happened when their daughter-in-law was alone in the house and was subjected to questioning.
