Non-local drivers, traders in Shopian get protection; suspects’ posters up
Pak-sponsored militants involved in recent killings identified: DGP
TNN Bureau. Updated: 10/18/2019 10:47:02 AM

SRINAGAR: The police has identified the terrorists involved in the recent killings of three non-local persons in Valley and put up posters of two of them, even as apple traders and truck drivers from outside the State have been moved to secure locations in Kashmir following attacks by militants over the last few days.
A Rajasthani truck driver was killed on Monday in Shopian, while an apple trader from Punjab and a brick-kiln worker from Chhattisgarh were killed by militants in Shopian and Pulwama districts, respectively on Wednesday.
“Pakistan-sponsored terrorists are involved in the killing of three civilians in past three days and have been identified,” Director General of Police Dilbag Singh said today who was in Shopian to review security situation there
Expressing deep sorrow on the killing of three civilians, the state police chief said that such acts are very barbaric and inhumane.
“Traders from other parts of the country come here to help the people by purchasing the produce of the valley. This is condemnable,” he said, adding that extra security measures are put in place and loading points for trucks have been identified where extra security measures will be taken.
“All field commanders of Police, Army and CAPF have been directed for working out extra security measures in consultation with the local fruit traders,” the DGP said.
Sources said around 500 trucks from outside the valley have been kept in protection at a bus stand, fruit Mandi and District Collector's office in Shopian by the administration.
"It is obvious that the shutdown is fizzling out, so militants are resorting to other tactics," Farooq Khan, advisor to Governor said.
"Any good thing we do, Pakistan will make desperate attempts to counter it."
He said for the fruit growers the fruit are like their children and such acts won't be tolerated.
"Apple has been plucked from the fields and the process will continue. The area is already secured. Security will be beefed up more to ensure protection of people linked with fruit trade," he said.
Munir Khan, Additional Director General, Law and Order, said the killing of the non-locals look like a pattern to disturb and aggravate the situation.
Meanwhile, the police have put up posters of militants in Shopian who it believes are involved in the recent killing of the non-locals in the valley.
The posters carrying two photographs appeared on Thursday morning,
“These two are suspects in the killing of a Punjab-based apple trader in Shopian district yesterday,” an official said.
Police believe that the terrorists are affiliated to Lashkar-e-Taiba.
After the killings, fear has overtaken the non-Kashmiri traders and labourers working in Shopian.


Comment on this Story