Police, Army to deal professionally if Taliban enter Kashmir: IGP Kashmir

AWANTIPORA — Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Vijay Kumar on Saturday said that in case any foreign element including Taliban enters Kashmir, the J-K Police, Indian Army and other security forces are ready to deal with the challenge in a very “professional manner.”

Addressing a joint press conference at Army’s Victor Force headquarters at Awantipora here, the IGP Kashmir said police have activated human intelligence and technical intelligence as well to find out whether any foreign element including Taliban is planning to infiltrate into Kashmir.

“If at all any such thing happens, I as a police officer assure the people of Kashmir that Police, Army and the other security forces will deal with the challenge professionally,” the IGP said as per news agency Kashmir News Observer.

He was flanked by General Officer Commanding of south Kashmir based Victor Force Rashim Bali.

The IGP was replying to a query whether security forces were ready to deal with the situation if Taliban decides to enter Kashmir.

The IGP said that there are inputs about some fresh infiltration bids and the information about the same is being gathered. “The militants killed in Bandipora recently had infiltrated this year only,” he said.

The IGP said that militants after killing civilians and politicians take refuge in woods and Police and the Army is activating human intelligence in the forest area also. “We will not just track militants in the hinterland only but in the woods also,” Kumar said.

About any latest weapon consignments being pushed into Kashmir, he said that as of now, there is no information available with the Police about latest weaponry being provided to militants in the Valley.

Speaking on the occasion, GoC Victor Force said that yesterday, an information was received by the 42 RR after which the Army along with Police launched a search operation in Tarsar-Marsar area of Tral in Pulwama district.

“Today morning, a contact was established and three militants were killed in a close battle,” he said and added, “The trio were active for a long time in south Kashmir.”

He said that two AK-47 rifles, one SLR, magazines and a UBGL were recovered from the slain militants. “Militants who are taking refuge in woods will be tracked down and killed,” he said.

The IGP, while chipping in, identified the slain as Wakil Shah of Jaish-e-Muhammad who was involved in the killing of BJP leader Rakesh Pandita and SPO. “The identity of two other slain is being ascertained,” he said, adding that Wakil was one of the most wanted militants of JeM in “police hit-list”.

About the frequent killing of politicians, he said it wasn’t for the first time that militants are targeting politicians but they have been getting killed since 1989. “We can’t provide security to all of them but yes, those facing threats and are vulnerable must approach us and we will provide them security cover,” he said.

He said that in the recent killing of Apni Party leader Ghulam Rasool Lone, police has got a lead and the killers will be either arrested or killed.