In yet another rifle snatching incident, suspected militants looted four rifles from the guardroom of a pro-India political worker in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district. last week, four rifles had been taken away by attackers, who torched portion of a house of ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Rajya Sabha MP Nazir Ahmad laway in the same area.
Sources said that four policemen have been arrested for dereliction of duty. The growing trend of rifle snatching indicates that militants facing dearth of weapons are taking advantage of the law and order situation prevailing in the Valley since the death of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8. The trend also indicates that fresh recruitments of agitated youngsters if taking place in the south Kashmir region.
Sources said that suspected militants barged into the guardroom of former National Conference leader Abdul Rashid Khanday and decamped with at least 4 weapons in Begom village in Damhal Hanjipora area of the district.
Sources added that around 20 armed men cordoned off Khanday’s house during the night and in a bloodless operation disarmed the four police guards and fled away with their service rifles including one self-loading rifle, one .303 rifles and two INSAS weapons. The policemen on duty did not offer any resistance. Identified as Muhammad Rafiq Itoo, Iyash Ahmed Itoo, Zahoor Ahmed Dar and Khurshid Ahmad Parray, the four policemen were later arrested.
Sources said that 12 rifles have been looted from the police guards during past one week. “The police have taken 18 cops into custody for questioning,” they said.
Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that there is plenty of willingness (in youth) to join militancy.
“I've been making the point time & again it's a shortage of weapons not of willingness to join militancy these days,” Abdullah tweeted.
In another incident, militants attacked Pulwama police station in the early hours of Thursday. Police said an exchange of fire between the militants and security forces continued for around 15 minutes after which the militants escaped. Militant outfit Tehreek-ul-Mujadheen (TeM) claimed responsibility for the attack.
Meanwhile, around 120 persons including few women were reported injured during clashes between protesters and the security forces mostly in various south Kashmir areas while several pro-azaadi protest rallies were held in other areas of Valley.
The normal life remained crippled on the 62nd consecutive day as educational institutions, shops, business establishments, main markets, public transport and other businesses remains closed in Kashmir Valley.
The officials said there was improvement in the attendance of employees in government offices and banks for the past few days now. The employees in the civil secretariat held a protest demonstration and announced not to attend their duties if the situation was not conducive.