Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 7: Over a dozen people have been detained by police during raids across Jammu and Kashmir for allegedly being in touch with militant commanders in Pakistan.
Police said many recent target killings and other terror crimes have taken place at the behest of these commanders using local hybrid militants.
“J-K Police has rounded up a number of individuals and initiated legal action against them as they have been found to be in contact with militant commanders based in Pakistan,” sources said.
They said some of the militant commanders these individuals were in contact with, and who are based in Pakistan, include Sajad Gul, Ashiq Nengroo, Arjumand Gulzar and others. They all have been notified and designated as terrorists by the Ministry of Home Affairs under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).
“These militant handlers who are based in Pakistan are involved in serious terror crimes and as well motivating and inciting the young gullible boys to join terror ranks to commit terror crimes,” sources said.
Jammu and Kashmir Police — both in Kashmir and Jammu division — have raided the residences and work places of such people and investigations with regard to the level of their involvement are underway, they said.
Raids have been carried out at several places across the Union Territory including in Srinagar, Baramulla, Anantnag, Kulgam — in the valley, and in Jammu, Ramban, Udhampur and Kathua districts– in Jammu region, they added.
“Many target killings and other terror crimes have been instigated from across using local hybrid militants. As on today, dozens of suspects have been picked up across Jammu and Kashmir,” sources said.
They said Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh has passed unambiguous and “very strong directions” to all formations that anyone found in touch with any such entity in Pakistan or in any other country should be taken to task.
The policy of zero tolerance of such anti-national activity has to be more strictly imposed, the J-K police chief has directed.
During last few days, police have arrested four militants and recovered one sticky bomb and an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) from their possession in Jammu region. One of the modules was involved in planting sticky bomb at Slathia Chowk in Udhampur on March 9 in which one civilian was killed and 14 others were injured.
“Operations against the militants, Over Ground Workers (OGWs) and their sympathisers will continue,” sources said.
Jammu and Kashmir Police and all security forces, engaged in anti-militancy operations, have been maintaining high alert ahead of annual pilgrimage of Shri Amarnath Ji beginning June 30 which will last 43 days till August 11.
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