Hizb luring cops to fill dwindling ranks
OFFICIALS SAID KILLING OF MILITANTS MEANS LOSS OF WEAPONS FOR THE OUTFITS AND HENCE THE PLOY TO LURE PERSONNEL WITH ARMS AND AMMUNITION
NEW DELHI: Kashmir’s homegrown militant outfit, Hizbul Mujahideen (HM), is trying to lure police personnel to fill its dwindling ranks and armoury after a string of reverses since last year, officials told HT, quoting intelligence reports.
Of the three police deserters this year, at last two are known to have joined the Hizb with their official arms and ammunition, the officials added. The latest intelligence inputs were shared with security forces operating in Kashmir in October.
Top police officials said the issue was not a “major concern yet” but admitted the trend could be reflective of a strong pro-militant sentiments among a section of Kashmiris. “Society is bound to have an effect on an individual. Police have a great reputation in terms of performing their professional duties and fighting off militancy and that will continue but they are not impervious to changes within society,” said SP Vaid, Jammu and Kashmir director general of police.
“As of now, this is not a major concern but it is still a thing to be cautious about,” he said.
Kashmir has seen a groundswell of civilian anger since last July when then Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed by security forces. The killing sparked months of violent street protests. The government adopted a muscular response, stepping up counterinsurgency operations that have killed at least 170 militants in the Valley this year. The HM is one of the most affected outfits, losing several top leaders and many cadre in encounters.
Officials said killing of militants also means loss of weapons for the outfits and hence, the ploy to lure police personnel with arms and ammunition.
In May, constable Syed Naveed Mushtaq deserted the force with four INSAS rifles, including his own, and joined the HM. A couple of months later, one personnel of the Territorial Army also joined militancy.
In October, another police constable, Ishfaq Ahmed Dar, announced on social media he has joined the Lashkar-e-taiba. Police said they were yet to ascertain the claim of the “missing” constable.