Sikander Gulzar
Srinagar, Aug 21: In context with Taliban, Inspector General of Police Vijay Kumar on Saturday said that police and security forces will professionally handle any threat.
Responding to a question on Taliban during a presser conference addressed jointly by him and GOC Victor Force here, the top police officer of Kashmir said: “As far as Taliban is concerned, I will not talk and those who are authorized to speak will talk about it.
However speaking as police officer, if any (militant) comes here, my job is to collect information and launch operation along with army to neutralize the threat. Any future challenge will handle in professional manner. We are completely alert.”
He said public corporation will be sought. “If any element, any (militant), suicide bomber etc plans anything, we will look for information from locals. If any incident happens, the locals will be affected as tourists will fear from visiting here. Whose economy will get affected? It will be local and as such I will ask locals to share information.”
Responding to question on attempts foiled regarding suicide bombings, he said, “Police and security forces will continue to work hard and foil attempts made by motivating the youth. We will continue to be in touch with parents and continue to work hard to foil any such attempts timely as were done recently.”
Asked about the use of sophisticated weapons by militants as depicted by the recovery of RPG launcher from the militant, Usman Bhai, killed in a gunfight along Jammu-Srinagar highway near Kulgam, the officer, as per GNS, said: “There are no reports about such weapons in hinterland. Last time a pika gun was recovered from an encounter site. If such weapons are in forest area, we are activating information gathering. We are alert. Also counter-infiltration grid has been activated.”
Divulging details regarding gunfight in upper reaches of Tral, he said three militants were killed.
He said that one among the militants was Wakeel Shah who is said was involved in the killing of BJP leader Rakesh Pandit at Tral on June 2 this year.
He said that militants after killing civilians and politicians take refuge in forests.
He said police and the army is activating human intelligence in the forest area also and militants will be “tracked down not only in the hinterland only but also in the woods.”
GoC Victor Force said that the Tral operation was difficult one and the forces targeted the militants from close range after zeroing in on them.
He said two AK-47 rifles, one SLR and other warlike stores have been recovered from them.
Army in a statement said that Saifullah alias Lamboo, “involved in Pulwama attack”, was also killed in the same area on 31 July this year. (GNS)
