Security tightened across valley after multiple militant strikes

Police blames Jaish for attacks; HM, Al Umar claim attacks

After the multiple militant attacks in Valley, security apparatus has been tightened and security personnel placed on high alert while police blamed Jaish-e-Mohammad for series of attacks.
Official sources said the alert has been sounded after yesterday’s series of attacks in south Kashmir and a grenade attack in Sopore.
They said the security personnel have been asked to remain vigilant to thwart any militant attack.
“Besides, the security around forces camps and major government installations has been intensified,” they said.
The police, CRPF and army men have increased patrolling, especially along the highway in south Kashmir. They were also conducting frisking of vehicles and commuters.
10 CRPF men and four policemen were injured in multiple attacks by militants yesterday. The militants also snatched four rifles from policemen in Anchidora area of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
Director General of Police S P Vaid blamed Jaish-e-Mohammad militant outfit for the last night attacks.
“Hizbul Mujahideen has larger presence but yesterday’s attacks were carried out by Jaish-e-Mohammad, as per our intelligence reports,” he said.
The DGP said there was prior intelligence about a possible escalation in attacks on “Battle of Badr”.
He said security personnel were on high alert.
Vaid, however, was quick to add that situation in Valley was not alarming.
“We will try our best to avert militant attacks,” Vaid said adding, “There were no fresh inputs about any militant attacks.”
He ruled out any threat to Amarnath Yatra.
CRPF, however, maintained that situation was sensitive but under control.
“To be honest, the situation is not alarming. It is sensitive but under control. The type of attacks that took place yesterday have been happening in the past also. During the month of Ramadan, we were expecting slight spurt in militant activity,” IG CRPF, Ravideep Sahi told Rising Kashmir.
He said there are intelligence inputs of possible suicide or fidayeen attacks on forces camps like the recent attack on CRPF camp at Sumbal in Bandipora district, where all militants were killed by alert CRPF men.
“This is not something special. These kind intelligence inputs keep coming on occasions like January 25, August 15 or election days,” Sahi said.
Asked whether there is a possible militant threat to Amarnath yatra, he said there are intelligence inputs that there may be violence during the pilgrimage.
“There are intelligence inputs that this year there is possibility of incidents like random firing on forces and stone pelting on Amarnath yatri vehicle,” IG CRPF said.
He said local support is very important to keep these incidents at bay.
“We want the locals to understand the Amarnath yatra both from religious and well as economic point of view. So, we hope with people’s cooperation, the yatra will be conducted smoothly,” he said.
Meanwhile, Al-Umar Mujahidden chief Mushtaq Zargar claimed responsibility of grenade attacks that took place in the valley yesterday.
In a tele-statement to KNS, Zargar said the grenade attacks in Tral, Pulwama, Awantipora and Saraf Kadal were carried jointly by Al Umar and Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) militants.
He said the attacks would continue in future.
Meanwhile, Hizbul Mujahideen also claimed responsibility of yesterday’s attacks on forces.
Hizb operational spokesman, Burhan-ud-Din said the attacks carried out by Hizb militants have resulted in severe injuries to scores of CRPF men.
“In one of the attack, militants managed to snatch weapons from policemen,” he said.
Burhan said the field operational commander, Mahmood Ghaznavi has lauded the militants for carrying out the attacks and announced cash award to the militants.
“Such attacks would continue in future,” he said.