Meanwhile, in what could possibly be read as a bid to calm sentiments of Kashmiris, CRPF Inspector General (Operations) Zulfiquar Hasan on Thursday said that locals who engage in stone pelting to help militants flee do so under pressure. “This (stone pelting) is happening in certain areas of Kashmir, and villagers and local residents do this under pressure from militants,” Hasan said.
The IG further said that the forces operate with restraint to avoid collateral damage and locals on their part should not come under pressure from militants so no harm comes their way. “Locals should not get under pressure from militants. We are exercising a lot of restraint so that there is no casualty on the side of the crowds and that adds to our problem. We are constantly trying to evolve on how could we do the operations better so that there is no harm to the local people present around us,” he said.
