Srinagar, May 18: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir zone, SM Sahai, Friday said that there was steep decline in militancy in Kashmir valley and the militants were trying to carry out attacks in Srinagar.
Sahai was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function organized at Police Station Nowgam here for rewarding the cops and an auto-driver who according to him were instrumental in averting a major tragedy by detecting a powerful Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted in a Maruti car at Chanapora bridge.
“Srinagar is being used as transit by militants, but we would not allow them to carry out activities in Srinagar. We have to ensure a safe Srinagar,” he said. “Now it takes little time for a militant to enter into Srinagar because of easy transport. They came and try to carry out attacks in Srinagar,” he added.
IGP Kashmir said most of militants who were expert in making IEDs were arrested and some of them are yet at large. He said after the arrest of Latief Dar, a top Hizbul Mujahideen commander, who allegedly masterminded the car bomb blast in Bijbehara town of South Kashmir in April this year, police was able to arrest some more such people.
The senior police officer said that the IED that was planted in Chanapora was similar to one used in the killing of Moulana Showkat. “Moulana has been killed by Lashker-e-Toiba and their involvement in planting this IED here can not be ruled out,” he said and added that the past history speaks that Hizbul Mujahideen used to carry the car bomb attacks in valley. “Hizbul Mujahideen involvement too can’t be ruled out. We are investigating, let us see.”
On the posters pasted in different parts of valley, allegedly threatening the newly elected Sarpanchs and Panchs, SM Sahai said that police has arrested three persons in Pulwama district of south Kashmir. “In Pattan Baramulla police has not been successful yet in arresting any body and the investigations are on,” he said.
IGP Kashmir blamed the militant sympathizers for pasting the posters. “The boys who sympathize with militants are pasting these posters. Rivalry is another factor, that is also being investigated,” he said.
IGP Sahai said it was because of the help of local people that the IED was detected. “We were informed by an auto driver. In case the IED was not detected it would have subsequently resulted in a big tragedy,” he said and added that people are fully cooperating with police to bring peace and stability in Kashmir.
He said the chassis number of the abandoned Maruti car has been erased before using for planting the IED. “We have started investigations and things will get clear in days to come. The involved people would be taken to task,” the police officer.
After the press conference, Sahai rewarded the Police Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) of Police Control Room, Kashmir, which defused and destroyed the IED. He also announced reward for the auto driver who informed the police regarding the abandoned vehicle.
Police Thursday evening said that a major tragedy was averted when they detected and later destroyed an IED planted inside a white color Maruti car near Chanapora bridge. The IED was planted in two cylinders, one pressure cooker and one canister.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 18 May 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 18 May 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 19 May 2012 00:00:00 IST