The Centre today said that it has taken note of reports claiming terror group Islamic State’s role behind the terror attack on a police party in Zakura area of Srinagar on November which had left a police officer dead.
MoS in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Jitendra Singh said that security forces are taking appropriate view and will adopt future course of action accordingly.
He maintained that the recent ‘back-to-back’ successes achieved against terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir was the result of the free hand given to security forces.
“The government has taken cognisance of inputs and the concerned agencies, the MHA and the security agencies, are taking an appropriate view and will adopt future course of action accordingly,” Singh said.
Singh’s remarks came in the wake of reports stating that the ISIS has claimed its first terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir through its propaganda wing, Amaq news agency.
In the retaliatory action on November 17, one militant Mugees Ahmed Mir was also killed and another captured by the security forces. The slain terrorist’s body was wrapped in an ISIS flag at his funeral even as thousands attended the event amid a high-pitched anti-India sloganeering. Amaq News Agency, the media arm of ISIS, has claimed the terror attack in Zakura.
Three terrorists in a car opened fire on a police team at Zakura crossing on the Srinagar-Ganderbal road, killing Sub-Inspector Imran Tak and injuring a special police officer (SPO) on Friday.
Meanwhile, Kashmir Director General of Police SP Vaid has dismissed the reports that ISIS was active in the Valley.
“I don’t think ISIS has any imprint here,” he said.
“Kashmir will be free of violence very soon. Yesterday’s operation has cleaned up the area. I am sure people can now live their lives without any fear of terror,” he added.
On Saturday, six Pakistani terrorists, including the nephew of Mumbai attack mastermind Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi, were killed in an encounter in Bandipora district.
Lt General JS Sandhu, general officer commanding (GOC) of the 15 Corps, said security forces have killed around 190 terrorists so far this year.
Nirmal Kumar Singh paying floral tribute to Sub-Inspector Imran Tak, who was killed in a militant attack in Zakura on the outskirts of Srinagar
“Of these, around 66 were eliminated while trying to infiltrate into the country through the line of control,” he added.
Jitendra Singh further said the free hand given to security forces to perform with professional freedom is behind such back to back successes.
“This is possibly the last phase of militancy in Kashmir. The life span of any commander has been reduced to a few weeks -- 10 to 15 weeks. Once a commander is appointed, the second is being kept ready to take over. The time has gone when they used to live for years,” he opined.
He said it was for the first time in the last quarter of a century that there is a government in place in New Delhi which is working on the principle of clarity, conviction and consistency and does not interfere with the professional work being done by security forces.
He also lauded the role of local police. He said that the manner in which the special operations group performed is testimony to the fact that if given the right opportunity without intimidation, the force is capable of doing wonders.
People participate in the funeral of slain militant Mugees Ahmad Mir in Srinagar on Nov 18, 2017.
On the surrender of college student and footballer Majid Arshid, who had joined the Lashkar-e-Taiba a week ago, Singh said the change was already there but it was just a veil of fear which was holding them back.
"Once the Modi government decided to initiate decisive action, this veil of fear has been taken away and the boys and girls are feeling free enough to come forward and express their aspirations," he said.
He said what Pakistan was doing has never been a secret but what is different today is that the common man in Kashmir, particularly the youth, is now ready to join the mainstream development journey led by PM Modi.
On Pakistan's role in fomenting terror, Singh said that all the information was already available but it was only Islamabad that was in a denial mode.
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