Pakistan-based terror groups behind looting of banks in state: Jammu and Kashmir IGP

Pic courtesy: ANI

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir IGP Javed Gillani said on Monday that Pakistan-based terror groups Laskar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen were behind recent cases of bank loot in the state.

"Investigations have revealed that terrorists of LeT and Hizbul were involved in recent cases of bank loot in south Kashmir."

Gillani added, "Some students were instigated by outside elements to pelt stones by giving them money, appeal parents of students to counsel them."

"There are around 200 terrorists present right now out of which 110 are local terrorists," Kashmir IGP further said.

"Will assess effects of blocking social media sites and then take a decision on whether we need to resume them or not," he said.

Meanwhile, as school students clashed with security forces in Pulwama district today, J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti stressed that not every young Kashmiri was a stone pelter.

Kashmir once again stood at the crossroads, she said, but added peace would return to the troubled valley which has been seeing protests, mostly by students, over the last two months.

"There are some who pelt stones, but not all the youth from Kashmir do so," she said, urging the national media not to highlight discussions that "developed hatred" against the people of the state, as per PTI.

On the other hand, in Pulwama, school students marched against what they described as police highhandedness, clashing with security forces.

Police said the students threw stones at the security personnel, who baton charged them.

The students were demanding action against security personnel who had allegedly roughed students up during the ongoing protests and demanded the release of those who had been arrested.

The CM believed that some students were being "provoked".

"Some are being provoked. I think we should all work together to resolve this situation," Mufti said.

The situation was "serious", she added.

"But I do not think it is something which cannot be resolved," she added.

"Since 1947, there have been many occasions when J&K has gone through bad times. Today we are again at the crossroads," Mufti maintained.

(With Agency inputs)