Kulgam attack: Probe points to role of local militants, several held

Srinagar: The armed forces have questioned, summoned and detained several people as part of the investigating into the attack in Kulgam in which three CRPF personnel were injured.

Jammu and Kashmir police suspect local militant Latief Ahmad to be allegedly involved in the attack as the modus operandi matches two other attacks that took place earlier this year in Anantnag and Kulgam districts.

"As per eye witnesses, including CRPF personnel, one person with his face covered opened fire and his gait matched that of Latief, who is currently active and was involved in two other attacks before this," a senior police official told ET.


Officials said he had come walking towards the CRPF check point and fled from the spot with the help of some of his supporters. "He used an AK rifle and we are investigating some specific leads and questioning some people," said another official.

On July 22 this year, Jammu and Kashmir police head constable Ashiq Hussain Qureshi was killed in a militant attack in Anantnag district of southern Kashmir. On July 31, two non-local brick kiln workers were killed in a targeted attack in Kelam village of Kulgam.

Meanwhile, ruling National Conference president Farooq Abdullah asserted that bullets and military confrontation cannot resolve political disputes and that meaningful engagement between India and Pakistan must begin without waiting for hostilities to end.

The former J&K chief minister said Kashmir is, was and will remain an integral part of India.

"Ab aap intezaar karenge, jab tak aap sabki goliyan band ho jayengi, tab tak raat ho jayegi" (If you keep waiting for everyone to stop firing, it will be too late by the time the guns fall silent)," said Abdullah. He spoke in response to a query about the BJP-led government's stated position that talks and bullets cannot go together.

"I have always told Pakistan to stop terrorism. Nothing can be achieved through terrorism. The process of dialogue must begin because only through talks can a way forward be found," he said.

He expressed concern over claims by the central government that terrorism had ended in J&K, maintaining that the recent incidents indicate that the threat continues to persist and that concrete measures are needed to eliminate it.

"I have already said such incidents are still happening. One never knows where the next attack might take place," he said.

Calling for the revival of SAARC, Abdullah said regional countries must come together, resolve their differences and work towards collective progress, citing the European Union as an example of former adversaries building a common future through cooperation.

"India is the largest country in the region, and Indira Gandhi had shown the way for India to maintain cordial and sympathetic relations with neighbouring countries. We must revive SAARC so that all of us can sit together, resolve our disputes and work towards progress and development," he said.