False propaganda: MHA on JK police resignations

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Friday sought to quell rumours about Jammu and Kashmir policemen resigning following the killing of three police personnel by Hizbul Mujahideen, saying these reports are based on "false propaganda by mischievous elements".

In a statement, the MHA said the Jammu and Kashmir Police have clarified that media reports about policemen resigning were "untrue and motivated".

It said Jammu and Kashmir has a professional and committed police force which is fully geared up to meet the security challenges, including those related to panchayat and urban body elections.

"There are over 30,000 Special Police Officers and their services are reviewed from time to time. Some mischievous elements are trying to project that those SPOs whose services are not renewed due to administrative reasons have resigned. Militants are on backfoot in Jammu and Kashmir," the statement said.

"Twenty-eight militants have been neutralised this year in Shopian alone. Due to pro-active actions of Jammu and Kashmir police, militants have been pushed to corner and are being driven to desperation," it added.

Some reports had claimed that there was panic among SPOs and at least half-a-dozen resigned from the force after Hizbul Mujahideen militants abducted three policemen and killed them in south Kashmir's Shopian. Two videos were also circulating on social media on policemen dissociating from the force.