Security of separatist leaders withdrawn as tension mounts Fire raging in your hearts is in my heart too: Modi

PULWAMA Cover of others being reviewed too: govt; don’t need it, says Hurriyat

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Sunday withdrew the security cover of four Kashmiri separatists, including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, amid street protests and growing calls for a strong action following a suicide bombing in Pulwama that killed 40 troopers in a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy. Besides the Hurriyat chairman, the security details of Abdul Gani Bhat, Bilal Lone and Shabir Shah were also withdrawn, according to an official order issued in Srinagar.

A government statement said that the security arrangements and other facilities including vehicles provided to the separatist leaders were withdrawn. “No security forces or cover should be provided, under any pretext, to them or any other separatists. If they have any other facilities provided by government, they are to be withdrawn forthwith.”

Home minister Rajnath Singh on Friday issued a veiled warning to separatist leaders after he reviewed the security situation following the attack, saying officials were asked to review the security provided to those “who take money from Pakistan and ISI [Inter-services Intelligence]”. PATNA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday a fire was burning in his heart after last week’s attack in Pulwama, paying tributes to two troopers from Bihar who were killed in the deadliest strike on security forces in Jammu and Kashmir.

At a public meeting in north Bihar’s Barauni, Modi said, “...to the large number of people who have gathered here, I would like to say the fire that is raging in your hearts, is in my heart as well,” drawing a thunderous applause from the crowd.