The security has been withdrawn from separatist leaders Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Abdul Ghani Bhat, Bilal Lone, Hashim Qureshi and Shabir Shah. However, there is no mention of pro-Pakistan separatist Syed Ali Shah Geelani in the order.

WEB DESK / NEW DELHI

The government today withdrew the security cover of five separatist leaders in Jammu and Kashmir. Leaders whose security has been withdrawn include Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Abdul Ghani Bhat, Bilal Lone, Hashim Qureshi and Shabir Shah.

However, there is no mention of pro-Pakistan separatist Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Yasin Malik in the order.

The move came in the wake of the deadliest attack on security forces in Kashmir that left 40 CRPF personnel dead.

The government said that all security and any vehicles provided to them will stand withdrawn by today evening. Officials said that no security forces or cover would be provided, under any pretext, to them or any other separatists.

Other facilities provided by the government will also be withdrawn forthwith, they said.

Police will review if there are any other separatists who have security or facilities which will be withdrawn immediately, the officials said.

On Friday (February 15), Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that the government was planning to review the security of the people working at the behest of Pakistan and its intelligence agency ISI in an apparent reference to separatist leaders.

“There are elements and forces who take money from Pakistan and the ISI. I have asked the officials concerned to review their security,” Singh told reporters at the end of his day-long visit to Kashmir.