‘Will ensure no trouble during Trump visit’

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, February 19

Director General of Police, J&K, Dilbag Singh on Wednesday said he was hopeful that US President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to India would pass off peacefully.

He was responding to a question that the Jaish-e-Mohammad has threatened to carry an attack during Trump’s visit to India next week.

“There are always some apprehensions as militants are still present in good numbers. We are hopeful that the visit will pass off peacefully and on our part we have security arrangements in place,” Dilbag Singh said at a press conference in Srinagar.

The DGP said two foreign delegations had visited Kashmir and there was total normalcy in the Valley.

“Two foreign delegations visited J&K and during their visits shops were open and life was normal,” he said.

The DGP said ceasefire violation by Pakistan had increased, which were aimed at pushing the militants to infiltrate here.

He said a drone had flown over a BSF post in Kathua. “On Tuesday a Pak drone flew over a BSF picket for around 12 minutes. It returned after BSF men opened fire,” the DGP said, adding that Pakistan was aiming at keeping the LoC and international border hot.

The J&K Police chief said the winter launch pads which used to be empty had remained active and full. “There are a large number of militants at the launch pad across LoC. We have seen this winter that the launch pads which used to remain empty during winter, have remained active and full, especially on the opposite side of Karnah, Keran and areas of Kupwara and Baramulla. There is more activity along the LoC after the snowfall. The aim behind keeping active the lauch pads is to push militants into this side through LoC or IB whenever they get an opportunity,” Dilbag Singh said.

No question of clean chit to Umar Fayaz, says Kashmir IG

Kashmir IG Vijay Kumar said they had not given any clean chit to Umar Fayaz, who was injured in a shootout on Srinagar outskirts on February 6 in which two militants were killed. While the police had said he was a ultra, the family had claimed that he had nothing to do with militancy. “He is very ill. He has been shifted to his home for further treatment. Once he gets stable, he’ll be taken into custody and interrogated. There is no question of giving him a clean chit,” the IG said.