Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik said on Thursday that the ‘fidayeen’ (suicide squad) attack in Anantnag district on Wednesday was carried out “at the behest of Pakistan”.
Speaking to the media here, Malik said: “Pakistan orderedyesterday’s fidayeen attack. Whenever there is peace in the Valley, Pakistantries to disrupt it by resorting to such attacks.”
The Governor said the peaceful conduct of the Lok Sabhaelections had not gone down well with the handlers of militants in Pakistan.
Asked if it was a matter of concern that the attack wascarried on the road that will be taken by pilgrims for the forthcoming AmarnathYatra, he said: “Security forces would not allow militants to get near the’yatris’. The attack was not on the ‘yatris’ as the ‘yatra’ is yet tocommence.”
Five CRPF troopers, including two Assistant Sub-Inspectorsand a militant, were killed in the suicide attack on the K.P. Road in Anantnagtown on Wednesday. A civilian woman and three security men including a StationHouse Officer (SHO) were injured.
Meanwhile, the Governor has expressed deep anguish over theloss of CRPF men in yesterday’s militant attack in Anantnag district.
The Governor has conveyed that his heart goes out to thedeparted soldiers and their families.
Condemning this cowardly attack, the Governor, an officialstatement said, has observed that whenever successful attempts are made by thesecurity forces to either conduct peaceful elections or continuous eliminationof militants, the masterminds of militants from across the border order them tocarry out fidayeen attacks on forces and yesterday’s attack in Anantnagdistrict was also a fidayeen attack.Governor noted that militants and their handlersshould know that “our resolve to eliminate this menace is unshakable”.