Announcing a massive crackdown on those accepting funds from the Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to carry out nefarious activities in the Kashmir, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said strict action will be taken against them.
Making another significant announcement in Srinagar, Rajnath said the civilian traffic would be stopped during the movement of convoys of Army and paramilitary.
“In the wake of the suicide attack on a CRPF convoy on Thursday, it has been decided that the civilian movement will be stopped for some time when a large convoy of security forces passes through an area,” Rajnath told at Press conference.
He said that the civilians will face a little difficulty because of the restriction. “We apologise for it,” he added.
Earlier, on his arrival in Srinagar, the Home Minister attended a high-level security review meeting and also visited Command hospital where he interacted with the injured CRPF jawans.
Rajnath also shouldered mortal remains of CRPF jawans along with senior police/Army and CRPF officers after attending a solemn wreath-laying ceremony.
Sharing his anger, the Union Home Minister later tweeted, “The nation will not forget the supreme sacrifice of our brave jawans. Paid my last respects to the martyrs of Pulwama in Srinagar today. Their sacrifice will not go in vain,” he added.
Meanwhile, toll in the deadly strike on Friday reached 44.
A Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist had rammed his explosives-laden car into a force convoy on the Srinagar-Jammu highway in Lethpora area of Pulwama on Thursday.
After the meeting with the senior security officials and State Governor Satya Pal Malik, Singh said he has asked the officers to review the security provided to people taking money from Pakistan and its intelligence agency ISI.
In an apparent reference to separatist leaders, Rajnath, said, “There are some elements who are hand in glove with terrorist organisations, and ISI across the border. They are involved in conspiracies too. They are toying with the future of the people, especially the youth, of J&K.”
On the question of helping the families of martyred CRPF jawans Rajnath said, “I’ve requested State Governments to extend the maximum help they can lend to the bereaved families. I’ve given all the necessary directions to the officers. The morale has not taken a hit. We’ll see this fight against terrorism to the end.”
Meanwhile, a team of officers from National Investigation Agency also visited the site of deadly strike in Lethpora area and lifted samples to carry out further investigation in the case.