JOIN USHizb bigger threat than LeT
As the focus of security agencies, of late, has been to bust the activities of Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) in this militancy-infested north Kashmir town, it is the Kashmir’s oldest militant outfit Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) which can prove to be a bigger threat in the coming times.
Sources told Deccan Herald that with LeT receiving major setback due to killing and arrest of its top commanders, the focus of security agencies is likely to shift to HM.
Recently, HM owned the responsibility of an attack on four policemen who were gunned down on Friday after they walked into a well-planned ambush near Sopore town. Police sources believe that conspiracy for most of the attacks is done in Sopore because it is easier for the militants to receive logistic support locally.
The Friday’s attack gives an idea of the strength which the militant group has accumulated in past few years, albeit silently, while the security agencies were focussing on LeT.
HM has built a strong network in Sopore and its adjoining areas. “Hizb has seven Pakistan trained local militants and dozens of over ground workers (OGWs) in the town.
Police have little or no knowledge about the activities of HM and its operation chief Qayoom Najar alias Jan sahib,” sources added. A senior police officer told Deccan Herald that Hizb has carried out most of the killings of panchayat members in north Kashmir in past one year. He described HM as more dangerous than the LeT due to its indigenous character.
“People support HM militants more as the outfit draws its cadres primarily from indigenous Kashmiris. Another reason for HM’s resurgence is that it is very close to both the Jamaat-e-Islami in Kashmir and Pakistan due to which it has lot of sources and resources to sustain for a longer time,” he added.
Quoting an example of local support to HM, he said, “Last year a militant of HM Javeed Matoo was injured in an encounter with police in Sopore market. However, before police could arrest him, the locals helped the injured militant to flee the spot. Till date police are clueless about the escape and his whereabouts.”
The officer said the HM cadres are dedicated and claim to have support within the system. “Jamaat-e-Islami has a strong support base within the police, bureaucracy and judiciary due to which tracking HM militants is tougher than those of LeT,” he claimed.