IGP vijay kumar
Srinagar, May 07: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir range Vijay Kumar said that he will not hesitate from saying that the slain Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) commander Riyaz Naikoo was an influential “militant commander”.
“I will not hesitate in saying that Naikoo was a very influential militant commander,” IGP said, adding, Naikoo would release videos almost every month to lure youth towards militancy and to pass directions to his cadre to execute civilian and police killing.
Naikoo along with his aide were killed during a gunfight with goverenment forces including police, army and CRPF at Beighpora area of Awantipore.
While terming the killing of Hizbul Mujahedeen Chief commander Riyaz Naikoo as “big jolt” for militancy in Kashmir, IGP said his killing will help contain militancy in the Valley to a large extent.
“His killing is a big success for us and major jolt for Hizb and militancy in Kashmir,” IGP said.
Naikoo’s killing will help contain over all militancy in Valley, Kumar said,adding, he said Naikoo was on a radar since past six months.
“The day before yesterday we tracked his movement and finally got in at Beighpora Awantipora along with his aide” he said as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer.
Asked weather militant leadership of Hizb stranded wiped out, the IGP said there will be some other leader, and “we will go after him too”.
About Handwara encounter, the IGP said Lashkar commander Haider’s killing was also a big jolt for Lashkar.
“As for as second incident at Handwara in which three CRPF men were killed, we have identified two Lashkar militants involved in the act,” he said.
On a query about The Resistance Front (TRF), the IGP said TRF was not a new outfit but a “shadow of Lashkar”.
“Post August 05 last year, there was international pressure on Pakistan to stop militancy, so Lashkar floated The Resistance Front (TRF),” IGP said.
“In Handwara encounter, Haider and his associate killed belonged to Lashkar but TRF claimed responsibility,” Kumar said.
While replying to a query about communication blockade in Kashmir said that it was necessary to prevent rumour mongering and to maintain in Law and order.
“We will review the situation and restore services soon,” he said.
The IGP Kashmir also said that this year so for Sixty four militants (64) have been killed in twenty seven (27) operations while as one twenty five (125) OGWS have been arrested. (KNO)
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Kumar also said that after Riyaz Naikoo was killed, a law and order situation emerged at the site.
Few people have been injured some of them have bullet injuries, said IGP.
According to hospital authorties, soon after the encounter was over, clashes erupted during which over two dozen persons received injuries. Among them four were reported to have suffered bullet injuries while 12 others suatined pellet injuries
IGP further said that the restrictions on movement and internet/phones were necessary to maintain law & order. He said the restrictions willl be reviewed as the situation improves.