A militant is militant regardless of outfit: J&K DGP

Srinagar: Playing down reports that former Hizbul Mujahideen militant Zakir Musa has been made the head of newly-created al-Qaeda cell in the state, Director General of Police S P Vaid today said 'a militant is a militant' regardless of the outfit. 'Militant is a militant regardless of the outfit. Outfit does not matter to us. Someone who picks up a gun is a militant. We will investigate the arrival of al-Qaeda in the state,' Dr Vaid told reporters here during a press conference called to announce J&K State Marathon 2017, organised by police under Civic Action Programme.

Musa had recently broken ranks with HM after the militant outfit distanced itself from the former 'commander’s' comment, terming Kashmir an Islamic struggle meant to enforce Shariah (Islamic rule) instead of political issue. The DGP was responding to a question over Musa being reportedly named as the head of newly-created al-Qaeda cell in the state. Responding to a question about militants targeting off-duty policemen, the DGP said it was their frustration. Dr Vaid said all the law enforcement agencies were supporting National Investigation Agency investigation into the role of separatists in terror funding in the Valley.

However, he said only time will tell whether both the faction of Hurriyat Conference chairmen Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Moulvi Umar Farooq and JKLF chief Yasin Malik will be questioned by the NIA or not. Talking about the Marathon, the DGP said such events would help reducing stone-pelting incidents. 'Sports activities like Marathons will make children healthy and healthy brain exists in a healthy body, so they will think positive,' Dr Vaid said. (UNI)