New Delhi, July 19: The regular appearance of militants at funerals of fellow militants killed in counter-insurgency operations has become a matter of concern for the union government.
The Home Ministry told Parliament on Wednesday that “Centre is seized of the matter.” Minister of State (MoS) for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir in a reply to parliamentarian Rajkumar Dhoot, said, “As per the report of state government, a few instances of militants making brief appearance in large gathering of funeral of militants have been observed. In these instances, the militants after making brief appearances disappear, taking advantage of a large gathering. In order to prevent such activities of militants, numerous steps have been taken including strengthening of operational grid with enhanced human intelligence and use of technical intelligence grid. Further, the intensity of counter insurgency operations has been increased resulting in neutralising of several militants,” India Today reported.
In Kashmir, militants openly daring the security forces by giving gun salutes to slain colleagues is a new normal, reminiscent of the 1990’s, where militants appeared in a similar fashion during funeral. Sources in the intelligence agencies, according to the reports, however, say the appearances are aimed to recruit more “misguided” youth into mould.
