| Desperate to derail election process, militants go berserk | | | Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Sept 21: The killing of three unarmed policemen and attacking panchayat ghars in Kashmir seem to be a new strategy of militants desperate, to put derail the democratic process in the Valley.
On Friday, bodies of three policemen with multiple bullet wounds were found hours after they were kidnapped by militants who barged into their homes in south Kashmir. The fourth policeman was freed with the help of villagers.
The unarmed policemen, all Special Police Officers (SPO), were dragged out of their homes in Kapran village of Shopian days after Hizbul Mujahideen militants put out a video threatening to kill policemen unless they posted their resignations online. Their bodies were found in an orchard.
However, such desperate attempts by militants according to police officials were to break the resolve of policemen who have been at the forefront in fighting militancy.
"Militants know they won't stop people from casting their vote in elections. This is a new strategy to create a fear psychosis among policemen and the political workers," a police official said adding that militants had set several panchayat ghars on fire to derail the democratic process.
Earlier, militants had abducted family members of several policemen.
"It is to create fear among policemen and their families. For the last few years, hundreds of militants have been killed. Militants are now targeting unarmed policemen and their families, to pressurize them not to participate in operations, but since JK police did not pay any heed to their threats, militants are now involving the families of police personnel " the official said.
Several people associated with the NC and the PDP have been killed in Pulwama and Shopian districts of south Kashmir.
"The attacks and threats have created a panic among all workers of mainstream parties and policemen and their families in south Kashmir," said Sohail Ahmad, a political worker. His family, he says is worried about his security. "They know they can't defeat the armed security forces. But they are attacking unarmed policemen, families and setting panchayat ghars on fire," he added. |
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