Day after government forces killed seven civilians in southern Pulwama district, advisor to governor K Vijay Kumar Sunday asked the security agencies to “exercise restraint and avoid civilian casualties during anti-militancy operations.” Addressing police officers at a security review meeting here, Kumar stressed upon ensuring effective coordination and synergy between the security agencies and asked for “exercising restraint to avoid civilian casualties and collateral damage while carrying out anti-militancy operations and security-related drills in Kashmir”.
During the meeting held at the police control room Srinagar, Kumar undertook a detailed review of law and order and other security related issues, an official spokesman said.
The meeting was attended by director general of police Dilbag Singh, additional director general of police (law and order) Muneer Ahmed Khan, Kashmir range inspector general of police Swyam Prakash Pani, deputy inspector general of central Kashmir range, senior superintendent of police Srinagar and superintendent of police (south) and other concerned officers.
“Kumar took a detailed review of the latest security scenario and the situation arising due to the Pulwama incident in which seven civilian lost their lives during post-encounter clashes in Sirnoo area of the district. He discussed with the senior officers various measures undertaken to maintain law and order in the Valley,” the spokesman said, adding that the state police chief Dilbag Singh and other senior police officers briefed the advisor about “latest security scenario and other issues pertaining to the maintenance of law and order”.
Pertinently, at least seven civilians were killed after forces used live ammunition on protesters in Pulwama’sSirnoo village following a gunfight in the area in which three HizbulMujahideen militants and an army soldier were killed.