J&K: "Catch them alive", the new mantra of security forces
What's the story
"Catch them alive" is the new mantra in Jammu and Kashmir as security forces shift gear to focus on finding new recruits and motivating them to return to their families.
The strategy of police and security agencies is to cut the "umbilical cord" by smashing the over ground worker network, which is instrumental in radicalizing youth and pushing them to jihad.
Here's more.
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Our effort is to understand their grievances: Senior Official
"Our effort is to catch them alive and understand their grievances. After all, a 15 or 16-year-old boy can't be brainwashed to the extent that he would like to be killed in a gunfight. There has to be a counter-narrative," said a senior official.
Brainwash
Many desire to return in their normal life: Police
Operations based on specific intelligence inputs will continue but there will be also be increasing emphasis on catching newly-recruited militants alive.
We have got the indication from our field intelligence that many desire to return. Some parents have also approached us and we have no hesitation in helping them resume their normal life and education at the earliest," a senior police official said.
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4 new recruits have been arrested in last 7 months
"In the last 7 months, four new recruits have been arrested while one returned," said Inspector General of Police Swayam Prakash, who is closely watching the situation in the Valley and is using his experience as Deputy Inspector General in south Kashmir to tackle militancy.
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The aim is to create a conducive atmosphere
"My Director General of Police (SP Vaid) has also appealed to misguided youths and so I am asking them to return to their families," Swayam Prakash said.
Several people from various parts of the Valley have been booked in the last seven months. They were entrusted with the indoctrination of young minds and motivating them to pick up arms, he added.
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The trend of videos on social media has ended
"The trend is now a single militant posing in a closed room with a rifle so the location can't be identified. The trend of videos has ended as security forces have gained an upper hand," an official said.