Jammu & Kashmir Police and NIA on Saturday began in-depth investigation into the case of looting of weapons by Personal Security Officer (PSO) from the guard posted at official residence of sitting legislator in Srinagar on Friday. The legislator belongs to PDP representing one of the south Kashmir constituencies in Shopian district.
Police have already announced a cash reward of Rs 2 lakh for capturing deserter Special Police Officer (SPO) alongwith weapons.
On Friday, a Special Police Officer (SPO) deployed as Personal Security Officer (PSO) of PDP legislator representing Wachi constituency in south Kashmir’s Shopian district, decamped with eight weapons including seven AK 47 rifles alongwith ammunition of police personnel deployed for the security of the State Assembly Member at his official residence at Jawahar Nagar in summer capital Srinagar. PSO also took away one licensed pistol of MLA Advocate Ajaz Mir who was in winter capital Jammu at the time of commission of the act by PSO.
Besides legislator Advocate Ajaz Mir, around a dozen other PSOs deployed at MLA’s Guard Post were also questioned by Police and NIA sleuths at legislator’s official residence that has been sealed. Jawahar Nagar area also houses official residences of government officers, legislators, political leaders and mediapersons.
The PSO’s act is being seen as highly motivated unprecedented surprising move in the past nearly three decade history of militancy in Kashmir region. There have been several recent cases wherein SPOs and police personnel deserted Police force and decamped with service rifles and joined militant ranks.
Official statistics revealed that 34 rifles and one pistol have been looted, snatched or taken away by the militants besides SPOs and Policemen who deserted police force, in nine major incidents since March 29, 2015. This includes yesterday’s Jawahar Nagar MLA residence incident.
A senior police official said that 24 year SPO Aadil Bashir Sheikh hailing from Zainpora Shopian area executed his plan in a “meticulous manner”. Aadil had joined Police force in March last year.
Security sources said that high alert has already been sounded and massive search operation launched in Srinagar and elsewhere to nab him alongwith looted weapons.
Pertinently, one among two Hizbul Mujahideen militants killed in a protracted gunfight at Panzan Chadoora area of central Kashmir’s Budgam district on Thursday, was also SPO turned militant who had deserted the police force several months ago.
Pertinently, this week the Ministry of Home Affairs enhanced monthly honorarium for SPOs with different categories of service period starting from one year to 15 years with honorarium ranging from 5000 to maximum 15000 per month depending upon the length of the service of SPO.
This followed after over four dozen SPOs tendered their resignations through video statements that went viral on social media networking sites after three police personnel including one SPO were killed after abduction by militants in south Kashmir’s Shopian district last week.
The police department denied it has received any formal resignations from SPOs. Even internet services were snapped in Pulwama and Shopian district to diminish influence of SPOS’ videos tendering resignations through social media networking sites. One woman SPO from another south Kashmir district Kulgam with 15 year service had also posted resignation video. Even one counter insurgent SPO Uzair Billa from Srinagar outskirts posted his resignation video through social media networking sites seeking apologies from public.
Meanwhile, Acting Director General Police, Dilbagh Singh said that Special Police Officer, who fled with weapons, was in contact with militants across the border.
DGP on the sidelines of police Durbar in North Kahmir’s Bandipora on Saturday said, “SPO was connected with militants on other side”. He added that Police have registered a case and all sides of the incidents were being checked.
