news details |
|
|
| Short of weapons, ultras swoop upon JK cops for snatching spree | | |
K Koushal
Jammu, Aug 4: With the security forces on high alert against insurgency in Valley and also along the Line of Control, it seems the active militants in Kashmir have now been facing shortage of weapons owing to which they have changed their strategies and now are indulging in grabbing weapons from cops in Kashmir, said sources.
Pertinent to mention here that there has been spurt in unusual terror incidents like snatching of arms and ammunition by unidentified persons from the security personnel at nakas in Valley hinterlands.
"There are reports that new recruits are handed over pistols and asked to arrange weapons on their own," said a police source.
However, security agencies are resisting from describing it as a trend but acknowledge that "a few militant groups are trying to revive sleeper cells across the state which have being facing dearth of weapons because of heightened vigil along Line of Control and International Border. Meanwhile, fresh directive, asking cops to patrol in pairs at busy markets and remain alert, comes a day after alleged militant attacked on a cop with an axe and decamping with his service rifle in Kashmir on Aug 2.
According to reliable sources, owing to Assembly elections, militant outfits have recruited over two dozens of local youth but due to high alert along the International Border and LoC, they (mentors of militants) have failed to smuggle weapons across the borders in absence of infiltration.
"Mentors of the newly recruited youth have advised them to arrange weapons for them by means of looting weapons from cops", said sources.
Sources said security agencies have issued a high-alert to patrolling troops, particularly J&K Police, asking them to be vigilant as militants might try to overpower and disarm them.
According to sources, the terror outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) has recruited around two dozen locals from south Kashmir ahead of forthcoming polls, but the supply of weapons from north Kashmir's frontier areas close to Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) has virtually dried up due to high alert thus forcing ultras to rob the security personnel.
Meanwhile, an alert has been issued to Jammu and Kashmir policemen as militants stepped up weapon-snatching attacks and cop killings in the Kashmir valley. The police fear that militant sleeper cells are trying to revive militancy in the city, but are short of weapons.
Recent weapon snatching incidents
n August 4, militants made an abortive bid to loot the weaponry of policemen posted on duty in Pulwama.
n August 1, suspected militants snatched an automatic weapon from a judge's personal security officer in the Qamarwari locality of Srinagar on Friday.
n July 26, a cop was attacked with an axe in Pattan area and his weapon was snatched.
n July 22, weapons stolen from cops in religious place at Pulwama.
n July 6, 4 weapons were snatched from Budgam.
n April 15, Lashkar's operational commander attacked security guard of a NC leader and succeeded in decamping with the weapons.
n March 8, two weapons were snatched from cops. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
