Arrests and killings of militants not our objective
External Forces increased funding of separatists
Geelani and other separatist leaders have no base in Kashmir: Ashok Prasad
Srinagar : Director General of Police Ashok Prasad Friday said that latest developments along the Line of Control are the source of concern and they are minutely assessing the situation and trying to figure out whether the strategy adopted by militants are short or long term.
“As per intelligence reports External Forces have increased the funding of separatist leaders and they are getting huge amounts from across the border while the militants along the Line of Control have become more aggressive now which is a cause of worry for us,” Prasad told Srinagar based news gathering agency CNS adding that such changes can create problems for us in future.
He said militants have changed their strategy now and instead of infiltrating during the dead of night, they have started sneaking into our side openly and frequently they resort to heavy firing on Indian posts.“Militants have changed their strategy and we are keenly assessing the situation. As per our reports there are at least 400 militants keen to infiltrate into Kashmir Valley,” Prasad said.
DGP said that at least 80 militants have managed to infiltrate successfully in recent times and they are present in different parts of Kashmir Valley. “Last year as per intelligence reports, this number was 120 but this year it diminished to 80. There is no need to panic as police and security agencies have ability to neutralize them,” he said.
Prasad told CNS that although the number of militants present in Valley is about 180 but, “only 7 to 8 militant leaders of Hizbul Mujhadeen are enthusiastically active in North and South Kashmir. Once these 7 to 8 militants are neutralized, militancy would almost disappear and even stray attacks on security and police personnel would stop,” he said.
“Militants of HM are present in Sopore area while in South Kashmir a group of Lashkar Toiba headed by Commander Qasim is active. Militants in Lolab, Rajwar and Tral are leaderless and no threat to us,” he said adding that militants have started targeting policemen, and security personnel to demoralize them.
Ashok Prasad said that after failing to achieve their objective in attacking Sarpanchas and Panchas, militants changed their strategy and they have two objectives behind targeting security personnel. “One is to demoralize them and the other is that they should over react after every attack. “We are consciously avoiding both and are not giving them open hand,” he said.
He said that LeT, HM and Jaish Muhammad are providing logistic support to each other and carry out joint operations.
While replying to a question, Prasad said on the eve of Zubin Mehta’s musical concert, militants had planned to strike in Srinagar, Shopian and Pulwama. “Militants managed to strike in South Kashmir, however, we neutralized them in Srinagar and arrested 4 of them who during interrogation confessed that they were involved in several militancy related incidents,” he said.
He said we are following three fold-strategy which includes minimum visibility of security personnel, low profile and zero collateral. “If this policy could be reversed, militancy would come down to zero level but common people would feel the burnt which we don’t like,” he said.
“Arrests and killings of militants is not our objective. Our objective is that peaceful and conducive atmosphere should prevail in the State so that people could participate in electoral process and elect their representatives who could sit across and resolves all the issues politically and amicably,” he said.
While replying to a question, Director General of Police Ashok Prasad said that he has not placed Syed Ali Geealni under house arrest. “It is Code of Criminal Procedure which has imposed restrictions on Geelani. Geelani is free to offer Friday prayers at Hyderpora Masjid but he always insists that he would offer prayers at those places where chances of violence are maximum.
“Geelani should contest elections and prove his representative character. Geealni and other separatist leaders have no base in Kashmir and they knew it well they would not not be able to make it if they contest elections,” he said.
Prasad further said that the matters relating to police department particularly about releasing of ration money and police promotions have been taken up with higher ups and these would be resolved soon. (CNS)
