Commendable job by security forces: DGP
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 7: Inspector General of Police Kashmir range, Vijay Kumar, today termed killing of Hizbul Mujahedeen chief operational commander Riyaz Naikoo as a big jolt for militancy in Kashmir and said it will help containing militancy in the Valley to a large extent.
Speaking to reporters here, Kumar said that Naikoo was very influential militant commander, who would release videos almost every month to lure youth towards militancy and to pass directions to his cadre to execute civilian and police killings.
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“I will not hesitate in saying that Naikoo was a very influential militant commander. His killing is a big success for us and major jolt for Hizbul Mujahideen and overall militancy in Kashmir. Naikoo’s killing will help contain militancy in the Valley, ” Kumar said.
He said Naikoo was on a radar since last six months and security forces were tracking him. “The day before yesterday we tracked his movement and finally got him at Beighpora Awantipora along with his aide” he said.
Asked whether militant leadership of Hizbul Mujahideen stands wiped out, the IGP said there will be some other commander who replaces him.
“We will go after him too”, he said.
About Handwara encounter, the IGP said Lashkar commander Haider’s killing was also a big jolt for Lashkar. “As for as second incident at Handwara in which three CRPF men were killed, we have identified two Lashkar militants involved in the act and we are conducting operations against them,” he said.
On newly formed militant outfit, The Resistance Front (TRF), Kumar said TRF is not a new outfit but a shadow of Lashkar. “Post August 5 last year, there was international pressure on Pakistan to stop militancy, so LeT floated the TRF”, he added.
On a reply to a query about communication blockade in Kashmir, the IGP said that it was necessary to prevent rumour mongering and to maintain law and order. “We will review the situation and restore services soon,” he said.
The IGP Kashmir also said that this year so far 64 militants were killed in 27 operations while as 125 OGWs have been arrested.
Director General of Police, Dilbag Singh congratulated the security forces for the successful operation in which chief operational commander of Hizbul Mujahideen was killed.
“I congratulate the DIG Anantnag for the successful operation and the SSP Awantipora who have done commendable job in tracking Riyaz Naikoo and finally reaching to his hideout. I thank all the security forces including CRPF, ITBP and Army for the success of this operation”, he said.
“We are also thankful for the Army, the way they fight shoulder and shoulder with us in the fight against militancy. We salute the Army personnel who gave sacrifices in Handwara and the Police officer who was always at the forefront in the fight against militancy”, he said.
Civilian killed in Pulwama
A civilian who died in clashes in Pulwama was laid to rest in his native village last night.
He was injured at Baighpora where security forces yesterday killed Hizbul Mujahedeen chief operational commander Riyaz Naikoo and his aide. Identified as Jehanghir Wani, 32, the civilian was hit by a bullet in his neck and died on the spot. His body was taken by the locals and later buried at night.
He was salesman by profession and is survived by wife and two children.
It may be mentioned here that over 30 people were injured in the clashes at Baighpora in Pulwama yesterday.
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