‘Pak Army, ISI behind Pulwama attack'
Adil Ahmad
Srinagar, Feb 19
Sending a stern warning, Army on Tuesday said that those Kashmiri youth who have picked up the gun will be eliminated unless people surrender.
This strong message has come four days after Jaish-e-Muhammad militant Adil Ahmad Dar carried out a suicide attack killing 49 CRPF personnel at Pulwama on last Thursday.
“Who so ever comes from Pakistan will not go back alive. But there is a surrender policy for local youth who have picked up guns. Anyone who picks up a gun in Kashmir will be eliminated, unless the person surrenders,” Lt General KJS Dhillon, Corps Commander of the Srinagar based 15 Corps, said in a joint press conference along with IGP Kashmir S P Pani and IG CRPF Zulfikar Hassan.
Appealing mothers in Kashmir to persuade their sons who have picked up gun to get back to mainstream, Dhillon said, “In Kashmir society, mother has a great role to play. I would request the mothers of Kashmir to please request their sons who have joined militancy and get back to the mainstream.”
His remarks came after three Jaish-e-Mohammed militants were killed in an encounter in south Kashmir's Pulwama district on Monday. Four army men and Jammu and Kashmir police man were also killed in the encounter. He said that operation was carried out jointly by Army, JKP, and CRPF. “It was based on specific information. Three JeM militants were killed- two Pakistani and one local.”
Earlier, on Thursday, a suicide bomber identified as Adil Ahmad Dar rammed a CRPF bus with his vehicle at Lethpora Pulwama. The GOC 15 Commander said that within 100 hours of the February 14 Pulwama attack on a CRPF convoy, they killed the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) leaders who “planned and executed the deadly carnage”.
He said that Pulwama attack was carried out by the Jash-e-Muhammad (JeM) with active support of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Pakistan Army. “People behind the attack were being tracked since February 14, and it had been orchestrated from the Pakistani side of the border,” he claimed. “Suicide attacks would not take place earlier. They (militants) have started this modus operandi. The investigation of the case is at an advance stage,” he said, refusing to share any details.
“Efforts are being made by the Army as well as state government with the support of locals that youth don't join the militancy.”
He also ruled out any harassment to civilians by forces. “This is only propaganda. We are trying to figure out a plan so that civilians don't face any inconveniences when our convoys are passing.”
He asked people to stay away from encounter sites saying they don't want any civilian casualties. “Army has initiated various pro-people measures and these will continue,” he said.
Asked whether the harassment to Kashmiris outside Kashmir may affect the army's “friendly measures”, he said it was a political issue and won't comment.
The IGP Kashmir said that police was also making efforts that youth who have picked up gun to return to their homes.
