Kashmir Youngsters Join to Militant Became a Trend

Srinagar, 21 Muharram 1438/22 October 2016 (MINA) – Kashmir youngsters join to militant ranks from south Kashmir became a trend since the protests began three months ago.

With protests in the Valley crossing 105 days, police in J&K fear that the unrest triggered by the killing of militant Burhan Wani in July may have prompted a fresh batch of youths to join the militancy from south Kashmir.

Police sources say more than 80 youngsters have joined militant ranks from south Kashmir since the protests began three months ago.

This trend, they say, is evident in the rising number of incidents of police stations being attacked and weapons taken away in the region.

Last month witnessed more than seven attacks on police posts in south Kashmir, with militants snatching at least 28 weapons, mostly Kalashnikov guns.

“They are desperately looking for weapons for their new recruits. That’s why they are taking advantage of these protests and attacking police posts,” says a police officer posted in south Kashmir, on condition of anonymity.

“There are around 80 youngsters in our village. At least 40 of them are ready to become mujahids. They just need a nod and a weapon,” says a 26-year-old resident of Rampur village of Kulgam.

When contacted by Indian Express, DIG (South Kashmir) Nitish Kumar said he did not agree with the assessment that the protests have fuelled militancy in the Valley.

“I don’t think so. The people of Kashmir are very intelligent,” said Kumar.

In contrast, sources said, the militancy in north Kashmir is fuelled by those infiltrating from across the border who focus on attacks such as the one on the Army camp in Uri last month in which 18 soldiers died.

Detailing the big picture, police sources said that more than 150 militants may have infiltrated in the past three months from across the border in north Kashmir, especially in the Uri and Kupwara sectors, said sources. (T/P001/R07)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)