The military has praised Poonch residents for assist within the struggle in opposition to terror

Srinagar:

The military at present stated the involvement of some locals from Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch, who’re accused of serving to terrorists in a latest assault, is “unbelievable. A defence spokesman praised the role of people in the region for always fighting “shoulder to shoulder with the military no matter their caste and faith”.

The statement comes a day after a video surfaced in which a man appealed people to support the army before he died by suicide. Mukhtar Hussain Shah had alleged harassment and torture by the police during his questioning in connection with the investigation into a terrorist attack in Poonch last week.

“In the latest assault on a military truck, a couple of names of some in the neighborhood have come to the fore, which is unbelievable. Hence, folks of this space ought to steer clear of such kind of actions in future,” the spokesman said.

The police said they have arrested six people for providing logistics to terrorists and detained over 200 from the region for questioning in connection with the attack. Five soldiers were killed in the ambush by terrorists, who are believed to be Pakistani nationals. They also looted the weapons of the soldiers after the attack.

Mukhtar Hussain Shah was among the locals who was called for questioning by the police. On Thursday, he died by suicide in a hospital.

Before the incident, Shah recorded a 10-minute video in which he appears to be upset for being treated as a suspected terrorist supporter. He talked about his family having always supported India. “It’s the identical household which is being harassed and tortured,” he said in the video.

He also asked locals to support the army and fight against terrorism. His death has triggered protests in the area.

In a statement, the army reached out to the people of Poonch and appreciated their support during historic battles fought in 1948, 1962, 1961 and 1999.

“Whenever anybody tried to unfold unrest on this space, folks have fought shoulder to shoulder with the Indian Army,” the statement said.

The spokesman said Pakistan never wants an atmosphere of peace in Jammu and Kashmir, and after revocation of Article 370 under the Constitution, “Pakistan does not need peace and authorities formation in Jammu and Kashmir”.

The army said “after latest assault by the PAFF (Peoples Anti-Fascist Force) by which 5 troopers laid down their lives, all communities in Poonch like Gujjars, Baketwal, Muslims and Hindus confirmed their anger on the incident and protested in opposition to it.”

Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has demanded a probe into the death of Mukhtar Hussain Shah.

“Hundreds of individuals have been detained and tortured within the identify of investigation. Why ought to Mukhtar Shah commit suicide? Who was filming him when he made the video earlier than he dedicated suicide?” Ms Mufti said.

She alleged many others have been tortured by the police and security forces, and two of them have been hospitalised.

Ms Mufti said the people of Rajouri and Poonch are peace-loving and they have never supported terrorists. “Are you (safety forces) intentionally suppressing folks of the area and pushing them to the wall?” Ms Mufti stated.