Police, Army to deal professionally if Taliban enter J&K: IGP Kashmir

SRINAGAR: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Vijay Kumar on Saturday said that in case any foreign element including Taliban enters Kashmir, the police, Army and other security 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 here, the IGP Kashmir said police have activated human 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 police, army and the other security forces will deal with the challenge professionally,” the IGP said.
He was flanked by General officer Commanding of South Kashmir based Victor-Force Rashim Bali. IGP Kumar was replying to a query whether security forces were ready to deal with the situation if Taliban enter Kashmir.
IG Vijay Kumar said that 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 earlier this year,” he said.
The IGP said that terrorists after killing civilians and politicians take refuge in woods. Police and the army is activating human intelligence in the forest area. “We will not just track militants in the hinterland 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 latest weaponary being provided to militants in the Valley.
GoC Victor Force said that yesterday, an 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,” he said.
“The trio were 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 terrorists. “Terrorists who are taking refuge in woods will be tracked down and killed,” he said.
The IGP identified the slain as Wakil Shah of Jaish-e-Muhammad who was involved in the killing of BJP leader Rakesh Pandita and SPO. “The identity of two other slain is being ascertained,” he said, adding that Wakil was one of the most wanted militants of JeM in “police hit list”.
About the frequent killing of politicians, he said it wasn’t for the first time that terrorists are targeting politicians but they have been getting killed since 1989. “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 said that in the recent killing of Apni Party leader Ghulam Rasool Lone, police has got a lead and the killers will be traced.