Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Vijay Kumar today said that in case any foreign element including Taliban enters Kashmir, the government forces are ready to deal with the challenge in a very “professional manner”.
Addressing a joint press conference at army’s Victor Force headquarters at Awantipora in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, the IGP Kashmir said police have activated human intelligence and technical intelligence to find out whether any foreign element including Taliban is planning to infiltrate into Kashmir.
“If at all any such thing happens, I as a police officer assure the people of Kashmir that the police, army and the other security forces will deal with the challenge professionally,” the IGP was quoted by news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) as saying.
Kumar was flanked by General officer Commanding of South Kashmir based Victor-Force Rashim Bali. The IGP was replying to a query whether they were ready to deal with the situation if Taliban decides to enter Kashmir.
The IGP said there are inputs about some fresh infiltration bids and the information about the same is being gathered. “The militants killed in Bandipora recently had infiltrated this year only,” he said.
“The militants after killing civilians and politicians take refuge in woods and police and the army are activating human intelligence in the forest area also. We will not just track militants in the hinterland only but in the woods also,” Kumar said.
About any latest weapon consignments being pushed into Kashmir, he said, “As of now, there is no information available with the police about the latest weaponry being provided to militants in the Valley.”
Speaking on the occasion, GoC Victor Force said, “Yesterday, information was received by the 42 RR after which the army along with police launched a search operation in Tarsar-Marsar area of Tral in Pulwama district. Today morning, a contact was established and three militants were killed in a close battle. The trio was active for a long time in South Kashmir.”
He said that two Ak-47 rifles, one SLR, magazines and a UBGL were recovered from the slain militants. “Militants who are taking refuge in woods will be tracked down and killed,” he said.
About the frequent killings of politicians, the IGP said it wasn’t for the first time that militants were targeting political leaders.
The killings of politicians have been continuing since 1989, Kumar said. “We can’t provide security to all of them but yes, those facing threats and are vulnerable must approach us and we will provide them security cover,” he said.
He also said that police have got a lead in the recent killing of Apni Party leader Ghulam Rasool Lone. “The killers will be either arrested or killed,” he said.
