By News Agency of Kashmir
Doda: In a unique development, at least eleven militants, including a Divisional Commander of Harkat-ul-Jihad-e-Islami laid down their arms at a close door venue before the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Ghulam Nabi Azad, here today.
This is for the first time that the militants have surrendered before chief minister of the state. All the militants, who shun the path of violence and returned to mainstream, are said to be from the native area of the chief minister.
Official sources claimed that the militants were persuaded by Doda police with the help of local people to lay down their arms. “After hectic persuasion and assurances the militants agreed to surrender before the police”, a senior police officer told News Agency of Kashmir.
However, the formal surrender was done in presence of the chief minister, who was on a visit to the district headquarter, here today.
Describing today’s surrender as a great success for Doda Police, SSP Manhor Singh told
News Agency of Kashmir that with the laying down of the arms by its 10 caders, the existence of HUJI outfit in the district has been completely wiped out.
Those who have surrendered are Barkat Ali, divisional commander, son of Abdul Gani, who was active from 1993, Abdul Gani son of Wali Muhammad, sector commander who was reportedly active from 1995, Alam Hussain son of Arshad Gujjar active from 1999, Javaid Iqbal son of Fareed Ahmed active from 2000, Manzoor Ahmed (active from 2003) son of Abdul Latief, Akhtar Hussain (active from 2005) son of Ghulam Nabi, Talib Hussain (active from 2005) son of Mir Ali, Ghulam Hussain (active from 2005) son of Ghulam Qadir, Anayatulla Khan (active from 2005) son of Lal Din and Jan Muhammad (active from 2006) son of Rasula. All of them belonged to Bhallessa area of district Doda and belonged to HUJI.
Police said that the militants surrendered 4 AK 47, one SLR, one INSAS, one 303, pistol 1 satellite phone, 1 radio set, 7 walky-talkies and some ammunition of AK 47 and INSAS.
However, the surrender ceremony remained mysterious. While the media was blacked out from the official function, the initial reports said that the militants had already laid down their arms before army.