'ISI’ behind stone pelting on security forces in Jammu Kashmir, alleges Director General of Police

Jammu : “During encounters even security forces and police take cover of bulletproof vehicles or a house. Bullets fired from a gun do not see who they hit. Youths coming to the encounter sites are committing suicide. Youths are being instigated by some to achieve their short- term political gains”, Director General of Police of Jammu and Kashmir, S. P. Vaid was forthright in his views and further appealed to the youth to stay away from encounters.

Three days ago during an encounter in Budgam district of Jammu Kashmir, there was a large scale stone pelting on security personnels. 64 security personnels were injured in this incident. In retaliatory firing, the security forces killed three stone-pelters. On this background, Director General of Police of Jammu and Kashmir, S.P. Vaid has advised the youngsters to refrain going from places where an encounter is on. These youths are misguided and instigated. Confidential information, recorded messages, exchange of messages through social media groups, clearly shows the involvement of Pakistan’s Intelligence Agency ‘ISI’ in this, said S.P. Vaid.

Director General of Police, Vaid further also stated that the social media group that pass on the messages for stone pelting during the encounters are closely being monitored. Out of these, some groups are being handled from Pakistan. The moment an encounter breaks out, nearly 300 such social media groups get activated; every group has about 250 members. Through these groups, Kashmiri youths are given the precise details of the location of the encounter and are instigated to start stone pelting at that site, informed Director General S.P. Vaid.

Separatists are provoking the minds of these youngsters for their own benefit. Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Jitendra Singh stated that it was high time for Kashmiri youth to ask, Why these Separatists leaders are not sending their children for stone pelting at the encounter sites? Also, J & K’s administration and society will have to perform their respective responsibilities by making the Kashmiri youth realize this truth, added Singh.

Last month the Army Chief General Mr. Bipin Rawat had warned that those obstructing the encounter by pelting stones will be treated as anti nationals. Once during an encounter, one militant had escaped taking advantage of this stone pelting incident. Also, an army officer who was a part of this operation had lost his life. It was after this the Army Chief General had given this strong response. Thereafter, Jammu Kashmir government had introduced an ‘Advisory’ for people to stay away from the site of encounter.

Meanwhile, a stone pelter youth exposed during a sting operation admitted, they were paid Rs.500/- to Rs. 5000/- for stone pelting and were also provided with clothes and shoes. He also confirmed that some persons come and give them the money. Information regarding the location of stone pelting site is given through social media. If caught by police, they do not part with any information on this and further the youth also confirmed they don’t go home for some days after the stone pelting incident.