Srinagar: Describing Al-Qaeda as inimical to Kashmiri culture, Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police Dr S P Vaid Thursday said that operation “All-Out” was launched to restore peace in Kashmir valley.
“We assure rehabilitation of those gunmen who will surrender,” he said, adding the militants, who will continue to hold gun will be dealt by security forces.
“Al Qaeda was inimical to Kashmiri culture,” the DGP told reporters on the sideline of a function here Thursday.
But, he said it has influenced former Hizb Muhjahideen (HM) commander Zakir Musa.
Three militants of Zakir were killed in an encounter with security forces at Tral in Pulwama district yesterday. However, a HM spokesman later claimed that all the three militants had left Zakir and again wanted to rejoin outfit (HM). Zakir, who was appointed chief of Al-Qaeda in India, has threatened Hurriyat and other separatist leaders following which he was expelled from HM.
About the operation All Out, Dr Vaid said it was to restore peace in the valley, where people could do their business normally and children could go schools for study.
However, he said, “We will give armed youth a chance to surrender and lead a normal and honourable life again by joining the mainstream.” But, he warned that those refuse to surrender will have to face the security forces.
The DGP said that some measures have been taken to thwart the incidents of weapon snatching, which are bearing results.
Reflecting on the crime work of state police, the DGP said that a number of sensational crime cases including the attack on Amarnath Yatra bus has been professionally investigated and solved.
Praising the Srinagar police for investigation in the murder case of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Mohammad Ayub Pandith, the DGP impressed upon the policemen and officers to enhance their investigation skills and bring the criminals to the book.
But, he asked them to ensure to be polite with the common people who seek help and assistance from the police.
Referring to the health care policy, which is under consideration, the DGP advised the police personnel to take good care of their health and also take all precautions to protect themselves from militant attacks and stone pelting when they are out on duty.
He said that bullet proof vehicles and protective gears should be put to maximum use and also care should be taken of the weapons allotted to the people on guard/ escort and other general duties.
The DGP thanked the State government particularly the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti for increasing the ex-gratia relief substantially from Rs 7 lakhs to Rs 20 lakhs and creating J&K Police Service Cadre.
He said that the present dispensation in the government has been kind enough to consider favourably the proposals of Police Headquarters (PHQ) and hoped that the other proposals with regard to opening of promotion avenues of Inspectors, Sub Inspectors (SIs), Assistant Sub Inspectors (ASIs) and Head Constables (HCs) will also be looked into favourably.
Highlighting the role of Srinagar Police in tackling the situations, the DGP said that all measures must be taken to keep the militancy and law & order incident to a minimum in Srinagar city.
Referring to the welfare measures, DGP said that an amount of Rs 21 crore has been disbursed among the police personnel as welfare relief and loan and about Rs 1 crore has been disbursed as welfare relief/loan among the Special Police Officers (SPOs).
