Two months after 'Burhan Boys' killed, terrorists release another group-photo
What's the story
Two months after security forces eliminated all 11 men seen in the 'Burhan's Boys' photo, terrorists have released another, this time with 14 men posing with guns.
Unlike the earlier, where everyone was dressed in camouflage, these men are mostly dressed in blue against a greenery-filled background.
A senior cop described it as a "leaderless troupe," but efforts are on to identify them.
Personal
Wani was Hizbul leader at the young age of 22
Wani, a symbol of new-age militancy in Kashmir, was the leader of Hizbul Mujahideen when he was 22. When he was killed on July 8, 2016, in a Kokernag encounter, thousands took to the streets to protest and launch attacks on the forces.
'Burhan's Boys'
'Burhan's Boys' photo marked a new age in Kashmiri militancy
Before Wani's death, 10 others, identified as Saddam Hussain Paddar, Adil Khanday, Naseer Pandit, Waseem Malla, Afaq Bhat, Sabzar Bhat, Anees, Ishfaq, Wasim Shah and Tariq Pandit, posed with him in a now-famous photo.
It was a marked change: the men posed with their faces uncovered, instead of trying to keep their identity a secret.
The last of them was eliminated on May 6.
New photo
One man is IPS officer's brother, another was cop himself
Police have identified some men in the new photo. One is suspected to be Shams ul Haq Mengnoo, whom the terrorists call 'Burhan, the Second.' The brother of an IPS officer was studying unani medicine in Srinagar, before going missing in May.
Then there was Irfan Rashid Dar, a Pulwama Special Police Officer who went missing along with his service rifle in June.
Members
One returned to terrorism after surrendering once
Police have also identified Tawseef Ahmad Thokar and Adfar Fayaz from Awantipora.
Kupwara resident Zahoor Ahmed Mir had given up arms before he returned to terrorism recently.
Furkan Rashid Lone and Abdul Gani Khwaja have joined terrorists too, police confirmed.
The photo was released this week, days after Hizbul Mujahideen released individual photos of around 18 youths holding guns on Wani's death anniversary.
Quote
This doesn't mark a comeback of militancy: Police officer
Forces aren't very concerned. "It can in no way be seen as a comeback of militancy. The militants have suffered heavily and terror-initiated violence has come down," said a senior police officer. Moreover, "they're still in their incubation period. It takes time for them to turn into battle-hardened men."
Action
Forces now targeting recruitment of new terrorists
Forces are now targeting recruitment, trying to stop youths from joining terrorism. "Our operational grid is intact, we are taking care of the environmental conditions so that the recruitment is adroitly blunted," said IGP SP Pani.
According to officials, 75-80 men have picked up arms this year. Simultaneously, forces have neutralized 102 terrorists so far.