Sopore attacks: Why former militants are the targets?
Imtiyaz Ahmad Kandroo and Abdul Qayoom Najar are the two Hizbul Mujahideen militants who have been orchestrating the mysterious attacks at Sopore in Kashmir.
With the police announcing a Rs 10 lakh reward on their head, it becomes clear that it was in fact the Hizbul Mujahideen which was carrying out these attacks in which mobile towers were targeted and six persons were mysteriously killed.
The
Hizbul
and
the
Lashkar-e-Tayyeba
which
operate
together
in
Kashmir
had
announced
on
Monday
that
they
would
target
all
former
militants
who
have
broken
away
from
them
and
have
become
informers
of
the
Indian
government.
The
battle
vs
former
militants:
In the past five years, there have been 18,000 militants of the Lashkar and the Hizbul in all capacities who have surrendered before the police. While some are facing a jail term many others have completed their terms and are helping the police maintain sanctity in Kashmir.
Sopore attacks: What you need to known about the Lashkar-e-Islam
The
fact
that
the
Intelligence
Bureau
and
the
Kashmir
police
have
roped
in
these
militants
to
ensure
that
peace
is
maintained
and
youth
are
prevented
from
taking
up
arms
is
something
that
the
Hizbul
and
Lashkar
have
not
been
able
to
target.
Last
Monday
they
decided
to
intensify
their
efforts
in
Kashmir
and
target
their
former
members.
Blaming
Manohar
Parrikar:
The militants of the Lashkar and the Hizbul were quick to blame Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar for the spate of attacks in Kashmir. They said that the Defence Minister had clearly stated that these former militants would fight against the Lashkar and the Hizbul.
However the tone and tenor of the Defence Minister's statement was completely misunderstood. Officials say that the minister did not mean to say that the former militants would be taking up arms and fighting the terrorists from Pakistan.
There has been a militant rehabilitation package for several years now. Those who have realized that that Pakistan is not serious about the Kashmir issue and are instead trying to disrupt peace in India have called upon the Indian government to give them a chance. The Indian government on its part puts these persons to trial and after they serve out their sentence are roped in for community service.
Sopore attacks: Militants trying revival and survival
As
part
of
the
service
some
hand
out
information
about
the
terrorist
bases
while
many
others
are
involved
in
a
programme
to
prevent
youth
from
taking
up
arms.
Insecurity
grows
among
militants:
Indian Intelligence officials say that the militant groups are bound to step up the offensive. As pointed out earlier they want to ensure that they are heard and do not want to surrender to India.
They will continue to target the former militants as they would want to send across a strong message that quitters won't be tolerated. India on the other hand will ensure that there is more protection provided to rehabilitated militants.
IB officials say that there is an utmost need to guard such persons as they are helping India will a great deal of information that has helped bust several terrorists networks in Jammu and Kashmir.