Government has taken note of ISIS claim on attack: Union Minister Jitendra Singh

Union minister Jitendra Singh says the future course of action in Jammu and Kashmir will be adopted after taking an appropriate view

The Centre has taken note of reports about global terror group ISIS claiming an attack in the Kashmir Valley that left a police officer dead, Union minister Jitendra Singh said adding that the future course of action would be adopted after taking an appropriate view. The minister of state also said that the recent “back to back” successes achieved against terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir was the result of the free hand given to security forces to wipe out the nearly three decade old militancy which is in its “last phase”.

Troopers stop a motorcyclist the day after a gunfight between terrorists and security forces, yesterday in Srinagar. PIC/AFP

Singh was asked about the ISIS claiming its first terror attack in Kashmir through its propaganda wing, Amaq news agency. “The government has taken cognisance of inputs and the concerned agencies, the ministry of home affairs and the security agencies, are taking an appropriate view and will adopt future course of action accordingly,” he told reporters here. Three terrorists in a car opened fire on a police team at Zakura crossing on the Srinagar-Ganderbal road, killing Sub-Inspector Imran Tak and injuring a special police officer (SPO) on Friday. The retaliatory action left a most wanted local terrorist dead, whose body was wrapped in ISIS flag during the funeral procession.

Responding to a question about the killing of six Pakistani terrorists, including the nephew of Mumbai attack mastermind Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi, in Bandipora district on Saturday, Singh said this was the result of the “decisive initiative” taken by the Narendra Modi led union government. “The free hand given to security forces to perform with professional freedom is behind such back to back successes. This is possibly the last phase of militancy in Kashmir,” he said. On the surrender of footballer Majid Arshid, Singh said the change was already there but a veil of fear was holding them back. “Once the Modi government decided to initiate decisive action, this veil of fear has been taken away and the boys and girls are feeling free enough to come forward and express their aspirations,” he said.

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