Srinagar now a hotbed of militancy

NT Correspondent

Srinagar: As militants move their area of operation in recent weeks into the heart of Srinagar, from the disputed border areas, Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday swiftly moved key Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar Sandeep Choudhary out of the city. Another IPS officer Rakesh Balwal, has been similarly posted as new SSP Srinagar, days after a major militant attack took place in Srinagar, marking an increase in militant activities including targeted killings, triggering alarm among the security apparatus. Three JK policemen were killed and nearly a dozen others injured after militants attacked a police bus on the city outskirts earlier this week.

The J&K police and other security agencies are currently facing a challenge to bring the situation under control in Srinagar, which is recording a marked increase in militant attacks.

In September 2020, ironically, Srinagar was even declared a militancy-free district by the police. But over the last many months, a number of encounters have taken place in the city.

A senior police officer told NewsTrail that militants have shifted their base to Srinagar from other areas. “They (militants) have faced heat in South Kashmir and due to a large number of anti-militancy operations, they had to shift their bases. Recently, militants have increased activities in Srinagar. But, all efforts are on to neutralize the terrorists active in the Srinagar,” said the officer.

In October a number of targeted killings took place in Srinagar.

Four people including a foreign militant were killed in the controversial Hydepora encounter this month which also triggered protests in the valley.