Pulwama/Shopian, Aug 30: Government forces on Thursday detained Riyaz Naikoo’s father, Assadullah Naikoo, 70, during a nocturnal raid on his house; besides, arresting several youth from different areas of Pulwama.
Sources privy to the matter said that the police raided the house of Assadullah Naikoo at Beighpora Awantipora area of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district and took him into custody.
In a similar incident forces arrested two brothers and father of an active militant Lateef ‘Tiger’ of Dogripora village. Zubair Ahmad and Nadeem Ahmed along with their father Ghulam Hassan were picked up by forces in the same village, said a neighbor of the arrested trio.
While talking to Kashmir Images a police official in Awantipora said, “The arrests have been made for routine questioning.”
During night long cordon and search operation in Murran village of Pulwama 11 youth were detained.
Talking to Kashmir Images an eye witness, Firdous Ahmed, said, “Forces launched door to door searches in Sheikhpora, Boungam and Kharmohallah area of the said village.
He further added: During the operation forces thrashed many youth and damaged property worth lakhs of rupees.
Meanwhile, In Gudrooa village forces barged into many houses and arrested 5 youth. An eye witness said, “In the dead of night, a joint team of government forces detained several youth from their respective homes.”
However, one youth was picked up from Gudbough village and another 2 were picked from Wapora village of Pulwama, said the locals here.
Meanwhile, families of two militants in Shopian district of south Kashmir on Thursday alleged that the government forces set their houses ablaze last night.
The family members of a militant Shahjahan alleged that the forces raided their house in Amshipora village of the district. “We were asked to come out of the house. Later, they sprinkled some powder on the house and set it ablaze,” said a family member.
The family members of another militant Syed Naveed also alleged that the forces set their house on fire in Nazneenpora village of the district.
However, the fire was put out immediately, they said.
One of the residents of Amshipora, Umar Ahmad, told Kashmir Images that the house of Shahjahan is located in isolation and when the incident of fire occurred no one was aware about it. “Their house has suffered heavy damage, only the walls of the house are standing,” he added.
In a similar incident at Nazneenpora village of Shopian district, house of another militant was allegedly set ablaze by forces during the nighttime which has also suffered a huge damage.
Station House Officer (SHO) Keegam Shopian told Kashmir Images: “No one from Nazneenpora village has approached us with regard to the alleged fire incident.”
Meanwhile, Station House Officer Hirpora told Kashmir Images that they are ascertaining the facts about the fire incident. “No family member from Amshipora has come to the police station to report the incident,” he added.
Naikoo not detained, called for questioning: Police
Srinagar: Hizbul Mujahideen commander Riyaz Naikoo’s father was called by police for questioning today, a senior police officer said.
Assadullah Naikoo was detained by the police for questioning in Awantipora area of Pulwama district, sparking rumours that the 70-year-old father of the militant commander was arrested.
“We had called him for questioning as he is closely associated with his son, who is an active militant. We have to keep a track of people known to militants but he has not been arrested,” the officer said.
