Wanilike protests are unlikely: DGP Vaid
Hizb top gun Dar, who was killed in Anantnag gunfight, had spearheaded street violence in Valley after Burhan’s death in ’16
JAMMU : Following killing of a Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) top gun Altaf Ahmed Dar in Anantnag on Wednesday morning that resulted into a retaliatory attack in Shopian leading to the killing of four policemen, the director general of Jammu and Kashmir Police SP Vaid dispelled apprehensions of any Burhan Wani-like street violence across Kashmir.
Dar aka Altaf Kachroo, it is believed, had spearheaded street violence across Kashmir following killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani on July 8, 2016 that eventually saw over 100 killings and injuries to over 19,000 people including 4,000 security personnel.
“Yes Altaf Kachroo had spearheaded the street violence at that time (in 2016 post- Burhan killing) but there is no violence across the Valley except a terror attack in Shopian where four of our policemen were martyred. Nowhere else any major violence has taken place. Everything is fine and under control,” said the DGP.
“Yes, the Shopian incident happened after Kachroo and his associate were eliminated in Anantnag. Jaish and HM have claimed joint responsibility. So, we can’t say anything at this stage. It’s too early,” he added.
The DGP said he doesn’t anticipate any street violence akin to 2016 when Burhan was eliminated by the security forces. He, however, said adequate precautions, if required, will be initiated.
Altaf Kachroo and his associate Omar Rashid Wani hailed from Kulgam.
“Anantnag encounter completed, two bodies of terrorists along with two weapons recovered from the site. A clean operation with precision,” the DGP had posted on his twitter handle.
It may be stated here that the early morning encounter in Anantnag also saw clashes between the security forces and locals, who wanted to provide Kachroos and his associate an escape route.
“Altaf Kachroo was wanted since 2012 for a series of terror attacks on security forces and crime against civilians. He was also responsible for killings of policemen,” said a senior police officer. An ‘A ++’ terrorist, Kachroo had figured in the list of top 12 terrorists released by the army.
A senior army officer in the counter-insurgency operations said the army under “operation all out” had drawn a list of top terrorists to deliver a lethal blow to Pakistan sponsored insurgency in Kashmir.