Police deserves credit for improved situation, Kashmir needs 'political initiative': DGP Vaid

JAMMU: Praising his men for their successful operations against the terrorists in the valley which has resulted in significant damage to various terror outfits in Kashmir, Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police Shesh Paul Vaid has asserted that the solution to the conflict lies in a "political initiative", asking the central government to ensure "jobless" youth of state are not "influenced by a lot of unwanted and dangerous stuff."
In an interview with a media agency, the DGP touched on a number of issues concerning the security situation of state, including terrorism, political perspective, NIA raids, steps taken by Police to curb the terrorism and challenges that lie ahead of his force.
"Terrorism remains a problem-especially in South Kashmir, but has been managed very well by forces in past one year or so. We have already killed 160 militants till now this year, most of them in the south. Remember what the situation was last year. Things have changed considerably there. In the south, Shopian (district) especially remains a concern. Tral is a concern, too,'' he said.
Claiming that the number of active terrorists has reduced, Vaid said, "Though there aren't exact figures but there are only around 70-80 in north, 90-odd in the south and 10-15 in central Kashmir. The total is less than 200 today."
"As far as HM (Hizbul Mujahideen) and LeT (Lashkar-e-Toiba) are concerned, a majority of their commanders have been neutralised. There are only six-seven commanders who are left. This has led to a lot of improvement in the situation and helped in halting the recruitment,'' he said, while asserting that one of the top terrorists Zakir Musa also has few days left to him.
"If he comes in front of us, we won't spare him. For us, anybody who holds a gun and opens fire at us is a terrorist," he said.
The DGP, however, asserted that for a peaceful resolution of the ongoing conflict, Kashmir needs a "political initiative".
"There is no doubt that there is a need for a political initiative. Whether there is one going to be taken soon, I am ignorant about it. But I think some progress is happening. Political initiative is the need of the hour," said Vaid, adding "there is a problem in the political narrative in Kashmir".
"Mainstream parties do not talk about India, tell people how it benefits them to be a part of India. Look at what a senior leader has been saying - stone-pelters are freedom fighters. He has been a chief minister," said Vaid, apparently referring to a reported remark by NC president Farooq Abdullah.
"The mainstream political leaders need to speak in favour of India here and that will help change the narrative on the ground. I don't know why they hesitate," said Vaid.
Talking of the future challenges ahead of his force, the DGP said the main worry is to prevent another 'trigger' like Burhan Wani that will spark strife on the streets again.
"My worry is that there shouldn't be a trigger like the one last year. We are constantly preventing a trigger that is planned from across. But we must also be aware and prevent sudden triggers created by controversies surrounding issues like Article 35 A. We can't do much in such cases,'' he said.
Opening up about how social media has become a major challenge for police, Vaid said, "We are under attack in cyberspace in a major way and it can't be blocked. We need to create a counter narrative - cyber jihad is a reality. We know that Jamaat-ud-Dawa has recruited thousands of men across Pakistan, telling them that you don't need to go and fight in Kashmir, you can do that sitting inside your home - they call them cyber mujahids. This is the kind of attack we are facing from our neighbouring country. We need to do something about it."
Making very strongly the point about measures to prevent the spread of terrorism, the DGP said the Centre should take steps focused on youth in Kashmir.
"The youth are jobless. He will offer namaaz and then his mobile is his madrassa. He spends a lot of time on social media where he gets influenced by a lot of unwanted and dangerous stuff. We need to have schemes and programmes to engage youth… to earn livelihoods. We need to focus on youth who are 10th-pass, 12th-pass. We need to engage them in work where they can earn - for example, TV repair, motor repair, plumbing courses, etc. I mean, provide them courses where they will learn a skill so that they can earn. The tourism industry can also come as a huge help. Idle youth is a potential bomb," he said.
Asserting that the recent investigations by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) against several Hurriyat leaders allegedly linked to funds for militancy have been made possible with the help of state police, DGP Vaid said that police's efforts, in tandem with NIA have helped improve the situation.
"Of course, the NIA (case) has been a complementary factor. But if we had not exerted consistent pressure, killed so many terrorists, this wouldn't be possible. If we had not improved the situation, NIA raids wouldn't have happened. Do you think they would have been able to go and conduct raids and searches here (in Kashmir) last year?" he said.
Insisting that J&K Police is competent to investigate any case, Vaid said, "We tell NIA that you have a mandate to deal with scheduled offences and you are investigating terror funding, please stay focused on that and please don't try to spread out. We (J&K Police) are dealing with the situation efficiently and effectively."
Vaid also defended the use of pellet guns while tackling protesters but said that J&K Police have reduced their use substantially. "Since I took charge earlier this year, it is now used only in places where we think people will get killed while controlling the situation. Short of killing, it is not a bad idea. It (pellets) is better than killing - at least the person lives when hit by pellets," he said.
Vaid said that J&K Police are currently "focused on controlling the situation and pressure on terrorists and separatists will continue during the winter as well".
"Infiltration can only take place till the snow falls and if Army is able to check it (infiltration) to a bare minimum and we continue to build pressure inside, the overall situation will improve,'' he said.