Army refutes fake surrender allegations by Kashmiri boys

Srinagar, Nov 15 (UNI) The Army in Jammu and Kashmir today refuted allegations levelled by five arrested youth that they were forced to fake surrender in lieu of jobs in the armed forces.

The allegations levelled by the youth were aimed at tarnishing the image of the Army, Defence Spokesman Lt Col A K Mathur said in a statement here.

Giving details, he said on November 8 at 1400 hrs, Kadeer Mir, a resident of Uri and Ashiq Hussain Ganai of Khwaja Bagh in Baramulla, both ex-servicemen of 161 Infantry Battalion TA (H&H), arrived at the Rampur Gate of 14 Rajput along with four youth from Delina, Singhpora (Baramulla) and Pattan.

Col Mathur said Mir mentioned to Capt A K Singh of 14 Rajput that four Hizbul Mujahideen militants wanted to surrender before troops.

The commanding officer of the unit immediately called for the youth and started investigating the matter, he added.

On investigations, the spokesman said the youth were unable to answer the basic questions such as infiltration/exfiltration routes, their guides layout of the camps and their commanders.

''He immediately judged that it was a fake racket and called SDPO Uri Mohammad Yousuf Chaudhary, who interrogated them and confirmed that these youth wanted to exploit the surrender policy benefits,'' he added.

During the interrogation of the boys by the SDPO, Col Mathur said Mir and Ganai confessed that they wanted to establish their lost credibility and in turn lured the youth to surrender for financial incentives.

''Thereafter, in presence of the Commanding Officer 14 Rajput, the SDPO Uri reported the entire incident to the SSP Baramulla who advised him to take these boys in police custody,'' he added.

The spokesman said the SDPO Uri and his staff escorted Mir, Ganai and four youth to the Uri police station.

''Mir and Ganai threatened the Commanding Officer verbally that they would go to media and malign their image. However, no cognisance was taken by the unit,'' he added.

The Army's endeavour has always been to effect surrenders of genuine militants, Col Mathur said, adding in this case, a fake racket was unearthed wherein youth from hinterland were being lured to surrender for benefits.

He said the matter was timely reported to the SSP Baramulla.

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