Civilian traffic to be restricted during convoys: Rajnath
Directs reviewing security of people ‘taking money from Pakistan’
Srinagar, Feb 15: Civilian traffic will be restricted on highways and major roads in Jammu and Kashmir during the movement of convoys of army and paramilitary forces, Home Ministry Rajnath Singh announced on Friday, a day after nearly 49 CRPF personnel were killed in a suicide attack.
In a veiled reference to separatists and Hurriyat Conference leaders, Singh also said the security given to people “getting funds from Pakistan and its snooping agency ISI” should be reviewed.
“Civilian traffic movement will be restricted for some time during movement of army and security forces convoys. This may cause inconvenience and I apologise for this, but this is necessary for safety of jawans,” he told reporters after a high-level security review meeting here.
Singh, according to news agency ANI said: “There are some elements who are hand-in-glove with militant organisations, and ISI across the border. They are involved in conspiracies too. They are toying with the future of the people, especially the youth, of J&K.
“There are some elements here who take money from Pakistan and ISI. I have told the officers that the security provided to such people should be reviewed,” he said, according to ANI.
Singh said this while addressing a press conference after laying floral wreaths on the mortal remains of the slain CRPF personnel at Humhama in Budgam district.
Earlier, Singh also helped carry the coffin of a slain CRPF personnel after he laid a wreath on the mortal remains of the troops, officials said.
Shortly after arriving from Delhi, the Home minister attended a solemn function here where the remains of 40 CRPF personnel were kept in coffins, draped with tricolour.
Singh helped carry the coffin of a slain CRPF personnel before it was flown out of Jammu and Kashmir in a special aircraft, an official present at the function said.
The Home minister, Governor Satya Pal Malik, Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, CRPF Director General R R Bhatnagar, Jammu and Kashmir DGP Dilbagh Singh besides others attended the wreath laying ceremony.
“The nation will not forget the supreme sacrifice of our brave CRPF jawans. I have paid my last respects to the martyrs of Pulwama. The sacrifice will not go in vain,” Singh said.
Seven detained in connection with attack
Srinagar, Feb 1: Police has detained seven persons from Pulwama district of south Kashmir in connection with the deadly suicide attack that left 49 CRPF personnel dead near Awantipora, officials said Friday.
The youths were detained from Pulwama and Awantipora during the night on suspicion of links with the planning of the suicide attack, the first of its kind in which a militant of Jaish-e-Mohammed detonated an explosive-laden vehicle near a CRPF bus.
The overall planning is believed to be done by a Pakistani national, Kamran of JeM, who has been operating and moving in areas — Pulwama, Awantipora and Tral area of south Kashmir, police sources said.
The ‘fidayeen’ (suicide attacker) was identified as Adil Ahmad from Kakapora in Pulwama. He had joined the JeM in 2018.
According to initial investigations, the planning for the strike was done at Midoora area of Tral in south Kashmir.
Police are also looking for another local JeM overground worker who was instrumental in arranging the explosive material.
