South Kashmir situation cause for concern: CRPF

The CRPF on Friday termed the situation in south Kashmir as challenging and a cause for concern, saying militancy is on the rise there as many locals were joining the militants' ranks.

"The situation in south Kashmir is challenging. The militancy is on the rise there and many locals are joining the militants. It is a cause for concern. Keeping that in view, the intensity of (anti-militancy) operations has increased in that area," Inspector General, CRPF, Srinagar, Ravideep Sahi told reporters here.

He was speaking to reporters at a talent hunt sporting event organised by the CRPF.

"The army, CRPF, J&K Police and BSF are here and all these operations keep on happening. And based on a particular security situation which erupts and based on intelligence inputs, these operations happen and will keep happening in the near future as well," he said, responding to a question on yesterday's massive anti-militancy operation in Shopian district of south Kashmir.

The CRPF IG, however, refused to state whether the operation was successful or not. "I cannot say about this particular operation because it is not in my operational area. But yes, any operation that is carried out, its positive impact remains there because the troops go out to dominate the area, cordon and searches take place, that always remains successful," he said.

Sahi said the operation was undertaken to create a sense of security among the people in south Kashmir which has witnessed a spurt in militancy-related incidents including attacks on banks.

"To stop that (attacks on banks and cash-vans), a large scale cordon and search operation is underway since the last two-three days. It is underway to create a sense of security among people and stop looting and killings, he said.

He said the security forces would handle the threats made to security personnel by the militants recently.

"It is very unfortunate that the local men of police, CRPF or army are being threatened. If someone joins the force, it gives them employment and through this employment, he looks after his parents and family and focuses on the education of his children. These threats are not good and I think we all - CRPF, army, J&K police will handle it," he said.