'Pampore attack: CRPF men didn't fire to prevent civilian casualties'

J&K Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh on Thursday claimed the CRPF men killed in the recent Pampore attack didn’t fire their guns to prevent civilian casualties.

“The CRPF men attacked in Pampore had weapons. Had they reacted, there were many chances of civilian casualties,” he said, making a statement on the security situation in the state in the wake of the recent militant attacks.

Singh said there were guidelines for security forces to minimise civilian casualties and the Pampore attack is an example of that. “We lost eight men and 22 were injured. The security forces and police exercised maximum restraint to prevent civilian killings and collateral damage, despite provocation, and instead suffered losses themselves,” he said.

The deputy chief minister said ultras are carrying attacks to revive the “waning militancy”.

In June, 14 militancy-related incidents have taken place, with the Bijbehara attack on June 3, Anantnag on June 4 and Pampore on June 25. “Due to pressure from security forces, militants are now indulging in attacks on soft targets and crowded places in order to revive the waning militancy in the state,” he said.

Rajnath to review J&K security

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will embark on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir from Friday to review the security situation in the state after the LeT attacked a CRPF convoy, DHNS reports from New Delhi.