Pulwama attack aftermath: Jammu and Kashmir administration withdraws security of five separatist leaders

Days after the Pulwama terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, in which 40 CRPF personnel were martyred, the Jammu and Kashmir administration on Sunday issued orders to withdraw all security covers and any government facilities provided to five separatist leaders in the state.

The security cover of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Abdul Ghani Bhat, Bilal Lone, Hashim Qureshi and Shabir Shah has been ordered to withdraw.

However, there is no mention of pro-Pakistan separatist Syed Ali Shah Geelani in the order.

Srinagar: Visuals from outside Separatist Abdul Ghani Bhat's office&residence after J&K admin withdraws security, Bhat says, 'Security was provided by state govt, I don't need it. My security is Kashmiri ppl. There are chances of war b/w Pak&India.Let them address war issue first pic.twitter.com/uiK5W5sknh — ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2019

According to the order, all security and vehicles provided to the separatists will stand withdrawn by Sunday evening.

No security forces or cover will be provided, under any pretext, to them or any other separatists said the order. If they have any other facilities provided by the government, they are to be withdrawn forthwith. 

Police will review if there are any other separatists who have security or facilities which will be withdrawn immediately, the officials said. 

The move comes after Thursday's attack, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed and several others critically injured when a suicide bomber rammed a vehicle laden with explosives into their bus at Awantipora in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district.

The Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) has claimed responsibility for the attack on the convoy of 78 vehicles that was on its way from Jammu to Srinagar.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh, during his visit to Srinagar on Friday, had said security given to people getting funds from Pakistan and its snooping agency ISI should be reviewed.

"Some elements in Jammu and Kashmir have links with the ISI and terrorist organisations. Their security should be reviewed," he had said after reviewing security in the aftermath of the dastardly terror attack in South Kashmir's Pulwama district.