KUPWARA: Holding armed militants directly responsible for the killing of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat activist Sheikh Altaf, Jammu and Kashmir Police Chief Thursday said that killers have been identified and shortly police will produce them before the media.
The killing of Sheikh Altaf by unidentified gunmen in Sopore town on Tuesday had evoked widespread condemnation while separatist groups and family had blamed Indian agencies for the killing.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of Police Darbar at Kupwara Police Lines, Director General of Police, K.Rajendra said that it were militants who killed Sheikh Altaf. Investigation has been going on and we have identified the killers. These killers will be produced before media so that people will come to know about them, he said.
Responding to a question, K.Rajendra according to CNS said that all the cellular towers in North Kashmir especially in Sopore town are functioning and if need arises, security will be provided to landlords who had rented out space for these towers. People of Sopore have been facing problems due to non-availability of recharge facilities. I assure them that this matter will be resolved and they will avail the benefits of the mobile recharge facilities, he said.
The state Police chief said that attempts are being made from across the LOC to rejuvenate the militancy in Kashmir and there have been increase in infiltration bids in recent past.
Rajindra said 40 militants were active in the north Kashmir region and security forces continue to remain on tenterhooks to foil any of their attempts to disrupt their designs.
The state police chief also nullified the reports of youth joining the militant groups in the Valley. He maintained that the reports are not worrisome as same is merely a propaganda launched by some nefarious elements in the state. Earlier there were reports of some 18 to 20 youth joining the militant ranks. Amongst them, most have returned to their homes.
When asked about the seminar being conducted by the senior separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani on June 14 and whether police will allow the function to take place, K Rajindra maintained the decision has to be taken by the civil administration and not by the police. It is the civil administration that has to take final call over the issue.
India, Pakistan trade gunfire
Poonch: Indian and Pakistani troops traded gunfire on Thursday along the Line of Control (LoC) in Mandi area of Poonch district leaving a soldier injured, officials said.
The officials said that at around 9:30 am, a patrolling party of 4/5 Gorkha Rifle was fired upon by Pakistan troops in the forward area of Saujian sector.
The Pakistani troops of 649 Mujahid Regiment fired from NPP and NCPP posts towards our side, the officials said, adding that the Indian soldiers also retaliated with with equal force.
They said the exchange of fire continued for two hours.
Sources said that an army soldier identified as Rifleman Mahan Bahadur of Assam sustained minor bullet injury in his neck. They said that the injured soldier is stable.
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