Militants release 3 policemen, 8 relatives of other cops from captivity

Srinagar: Militants released policemen and an SPO besides kin and kith of ten other cops on Friday, a day after abducting them following the arrest of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen commander Riyaz Naikoo’s father and relatives of other militants among fourteen persons by police in south Kashmir.

Those released by militants include Irfan Ahmad Dar son of Sub-Inspector Gulzar Ahmad Dar of Kangan, Pulwama, a Sub-Inspector of police, Javeed Ahmad Dar (SPO at DPL Pulwama), Constable Shabir Ahmad Zargar of Kangan Pulwama, Adnan Ashraf Shah of Shopian (nephew of a DSP), Faizan Bashir Makroo of Kharpora Arwani, whose two uncles are in police, Zubair Ahmad Bhat of Arwani whose two brothers are working in police, Ghulam Mohammad Dar of Kangan Pulwama, whose two sons are in police, Arif Hussain Shanker of Arwani whose brother is working in police department, Asif Rafiq son of a policeman, Nasir Ahmad, also son of a policeman and Yasir Arfat Bhat son of Sub-Inspector of Police of Wathoo Shopian.

The militants also released separate videos of all the eleven persons and they are seen appealing Director General of Police, S P Vaid not to harass families of the militants.

“Otherwise provide security to us,” Irfan Gulzar, a Sub-Inspector with Police, is heard urging the DGP. Similarly, the identical message is heard in other videos also. (GNS)