Hizb hand in present Kashmir unrest?

In clear signs of cross-Line of Control linkages to the latest trouble in Kashmir, talks intercepted by security agencies reveal how a Hizbul Mujahideen activist based in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir enquires from a local contact about the status of protests and government response.

The undated transcripts of the conversation describe a person in Shopian in South Kashmir informing Abdul Inquilabi about protests, curfew and troop movement into Srinagar.

"Kya baat hui hai yaar (what has happened, friend?)," asks Inquilabi, who according to security agencies is a Hizbul Mujahideen activist based in PoK.

"Pata nahi, halat kharab huyi hai (I do not know, the situation has deteriorated)," responds the unidentified person from Shopian, according to the transcripts.

"Yeh Hindustani fauj panga le rahi hai Kashmiriyon ke saath. Yeh kahan chhodegi inko (The Indian Army is troubling Kashmiris. It will not spare them)," remarks Inquilabi.

"Chhodte nahi yeh (They don't spare)," is the response.

Then Inquilabi asks whether stone-pelting has begun and the answer is in affirmative.

Inquilabi asks whether a procession is to be taken out on that day and the response is that at 9 am it will start.

The Shopian-based person says that an announcement had been made in the morning that all should participate in the protest. He then informs that security forces have clamped curfew at night itself.

Inquilabi says that he has heard about more army personnel being requisitioned. The response is, "Yes, some has reached."

Inquilabi then asks, "Was army not there earlier?"

His contact replies that it is in some strength in Srinagar, but in Shopian and Pulwama it is the Central Reserve Police Force and police.