Intelligence says a new breed of ultras is rising in the strife-torn Valley
Intelligence says a new breed of ultras is rising in the strife-torn Valley
A new extremist segment has emerged in Kashmir and has been taking the advantage of the dithering Kashmiri leadership. "This segment is now orchestrating events in a manner that suits their masters across the border," said a senior Intelligence Bureau official. 
Talking heads: Defence Minister AK Antony, Congress President Sonia
Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the all party meet on
Kashmir on Wednesday in New Delhi pic/afp
"Muhammad Qasim alias Aashiq Husain Faktoo, an erstwhile commander of Jamait-ul-Muhajideen and the husband of Asiya Andrabi, the leader of the ultra Islamic Kashmiri organisation Dukhtaran-e-Millat has managed to create a vicious network from within the confines of the jail, where he has been lodged for the last 17 years," the intelligence official said.
He added that Faktoo has the support of people like Masarrat Alam Butt, the Hurriyat leader and the Vice Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Muslim League.
Hawks out
"These newly-emerged leaders exercise command through conduits, mobile communication systems and word of mouth and their dictates spread across the Valley like wildfire. They have effectively marginalised the likes of Mirwaiz Omar Farooq and Syed Ali Shah Geelani," he added.
According to sources, not only Pakistan's ISI but also several businessmen from Delhi, Mumbai, Srinagar and Jammu are under the scanner of Central intelligence agencies for allegedly providing funds to separatist leaders as well as protesters, for creating trouble in Jammu and Kashmir.
Protesters are targeting schools, bridges and security personnel during the protests on the instructions of ISI, sources said.
Peaceniks
The All Party Meeting on Kashmir minus Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah concluded here on Wednesday with a resolution to send an All Party Delegation to the strife-torn state to assess the ground realities. No decision on the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) was taken at the meeting.
The crucial meeting, which went on for more than five hours, was attended by, amongst others, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, BJP leaders L K Advani and Nitin Gadkari and the Left parties.
As expected, the Prime Minister opened the meeting with the message to the separatists that they shun violence and come forward for the dialogue as it is "the only path for lasting peace and prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir is that of dialogue and discussion".
Where's Omar?
Omar invited criticism for his absence in the meeting. However, National Conference (NC) leaders maintained that since it was All Party Meeting, so Omar being the head of the coalition government decided to stay away from the meeting as party was represented by its patron Farooq Abdullah.
Saffron view
Articulating BJP's views, its President Nitin Gadkari supported any dialogue within the framework of Indian Constitution but not before violence ends.
BJP also demanded the resignation of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad told reporters after the meeting, "We have asked for Omar's resignation publicly...Omar cannot escape the blame."
ADVERTISEMENT
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
