Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Sept 8: Army has directed its formations across Kashmir not to get involved in the law and order situations anymore and has asked them to concentrate on anti-militancy operations. Army chief, General Dalbir Singh Suhag is arriving in Srinagar tomorrow for a day long visit to review the situation along the Line of Control (LoC) and hinterland.
Sources said that Army has conveyed to the Home Ministry that it will concentrate on anti-militancy operations in Kashmir and keep off from the law and order situations that have left 75 people dead and over 12000 injured in Kashmir since July 8.
Army has conveyed to the Government that Army’s role in Kashmir is counter-infiltration and conduct of anti-militancy operations while police and Central Reserve police Force (CRPF) has to deal with the law and order.
However, sources said that Army will act against the protesters if they attack any Army camp or installation or their patrols or their convoys are intercepted.
The step was taken after there were allegations against Army that they are involved in dealing with law and order related issues in parts of Kashmir that has led to many deaths and injuries.
Army last month had ordered inquiry after a lecturer died in Army raid in Khrew area of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district during law and order situation. Shabir Ahmad was killed on August 18 in a nocturnal raid by Army. He was allegedly beaten up by Army along with several others after Army was looking for stone pelters in the village who were creating law and order problem in the area.
Army also ordered inquiry after its troops shot dead three people including a woman in Churat village of Qazigund area of Kulgam district last month. Army had said that they came under heavy stone pelting and were forced to open fire.
Sources said that soon after the killing of three persons in Army firing in Qazigund area of Kulgam district, Army headquarters sent a strong message to 15 Corps that Army should avoid direct confrontation with the crowds and let Police and CRPF to deal with it.
Sources said that Army is concerned over the free movement of militants in parts of Kashmir during last two months. They have resumed the operations last against militants after they were suspended due to unrest. But so far militants are taking full advantage of unrest and security forces have no major success against them.
The Army chief who is visiting Kashmir tomorrow will visit some Army formations along Line of Control in North Kashmir before reviewing security situation at Badami Bagh Cantonment headquarters of Army’s 15 Corps.
He will take review of the counter-infiltration grid after reports of increased infiltration this year. As per official figures, this year 72 militants have managed to infiltrate into Kashmir till July. However, unofficial figures suggested that the number of militants who infiltrated this year is much higher than official figure.
Security forces, however, this year achieved major success against militants and killed 102 of them so far. However, only few of them were killed during over two month long unrest.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel