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Pandits's killers identified: army

A defence ministry spokesman on Wednesday said the group responsible for killing 23 Pandits in Kashmir's Wandhama village has been identified.

All members of the group will be neutralised soon, he said in Srinagar.

The group consisted of 10 to 12 foreigners who were supported by some local militants. The locals, the spokesman said, were known to have links with certain political leaders of the area, and it was this that gave them the confidence to carry out the act.

The condemnation of the act by the All Party Kashmir Hurriyat Conference, Jamaat-e-Islami and other parties was a positive sign, the spokesman said.

He described Minister of State for Home Ali Mohammad Sagar's remark that the army unit located near the village had not done anything to prevent the incident as 'unfair and unjust.'

He said the army could not provide security to every individual in the valley. Their task was to ensure a general secure atmosphere. It was the police and paramilitary forces which should provide adequate protection to individuals or group of individuals.

On Sunday night, the spokesman continued, two-third of the army unit concerned was out in surrounding areas to ensure that the Eid activities were not hindered. In the din and noise of prayers broadcast through loud speakers, the firing could not be heard. But as soon as the troops noticed the blaze from the village, they rushed to the site.

The spokesman said even the civilian intelligence agencies were unaware of the incident till the next morning.

UNI

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