Two local militants active in Kishtwar, one since 1992: DIG
Police in Chenab valley have disarmed the surrendered militants, who have joined the police force, following apprehensions that they may be lured back to militancy.“We have disarmed all surrendered militants, who have joined police, in Chenab Valley. They have been posted in such places where they cannot take any harmful step,” DIG (Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban Range), Nissar Ahmed told .
He said about six to seven surrendered militants are serving in the police department in the region.
DIG said police has been keeping track on their activities after two SPOs escaped with their service rifles in Doda last month and rejoined militancy.
Both the SPOs-turned-militants were killed in a gunfight with forces in Doda district today.
Though no militancy related incident has taken place in Chenab region since 2011, two militants are said to be active in Kishtwar district.
“Two militants are in Kishtwar district and both of them are locals,” DIG said.
He identified them as HM militant commander Mohammed Amin Bhat alias Jahangir and Raiz Ahmed.
He said Amin had joined militancy in 1992 and he is one of longest surviving militant in the region.
An intelligence officer, pleading anonymity, said last year security agencies had intercepted his conservations with the handlers, which indicated that he was present somewhere in the forests of Kishtwar.
He said the militant could not be arrested despite developing inputs many a times about his presence.
“He enjoys good relations with both Hindu and Muslim communities in the district and is inactive since long. He is hiding in forests,” the officer said.
He said the second militant identified as Riaz Ahmed is inactive. “He is not involved in any incident”.
“Security men have continued their operations to track the two surviving militants in Kishtwar,” the officer said.
