Srinagar/ May,7 : Inspector General of police Kashmir zone, Vijay Kumar here on Thursday said that the killing of Hizbul Mujahedeen Chief Operational Commander Riyaz Naikoo is a “big jolt” to militancy in Kashmir and would boost the operations launched for containing militancy.
Addressing press conference here in Srinagar , the IGP said that Naikoo was very influential militant commander, who would release videos almost every month to lure youth towards militancy and pass directions to his cadres to execute civilian and police killings. “I will not hesitate in saying that Naikoo was a very influential militant commander”, said IGP Kumar .
His killing is a big success for us and a big jolt to Hizb and other militant ranks in Kashmir. Naikoo’s killing will help contain over all militancy in Valley, “ Kumar said. He said Naikoo was on a radar since past six months.
“The day before yesterday we tracked his movement and final got in at Beighpora Awantipora along with his aide” he said .
Asked weather militant leadership of Hizb stands wiped out now, the IGP said “there will be some other leader, and we will go after him too”. When questioned about Handwara encounter, the IGP said “Lashkar commander Haider’s killing was also a big jolt for Lashkar. As for as second incident at Handwara in which three CRPF men were killed, we have identified two Lashkar militants involved in the act.”
When asked about The Resistance Front (TRF), the IGP said TRF not a new outfit but a “shadow of Lashkar , adding that “post August 05 last year, there was international pressure on Pakistan to stop militancy, so Lashkar floated The Resistance Front (TRF)”.
“In Handwara encounter, Haider and his associate killed belonged to Lashkar but TRF claimed responsibility,” Kumar said. In reply to a question on communication blockade in Kashmir the IGP Kashmir said ” it was necessary to prevent rumour mongering and to maintain in Law and order. we will review the situation and restore services soon.”
The IGP Kashmir also said that this year Sixty four militants (64) have been killed in twenty seven (27) operations so for and twenty five 125 OGWS have been arrested
