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| India-Pakistan |
| Kashmir cops nab pro-government thug |
| 2002-03-08 |
The search for Billa and some of his accomplices involved in bank robbery and extortion has been going on for some time. At one point, a group of around 100 Ikhwanis encircled the Sumbal Police Station and later ambushed a police party. Four policemen were injured in the attack. The attack on the police was seen as an open challenge by Ikhwanis, and a massive hunt was launched to nab Billa. Police say they have found it difficult to arrest the other wanted counter-insurgents. They have taken shelter at an Army camp at Safapora, and the Army says it's not aware their activities outside the camps. The Ikhwanis are regarded as something of a fifth column in Jammu and Kashmir. They are what we called "ralliers" in the Vietnam war, gunnies who have laid down their arms and come over to the government. Some serve as Indian scouts (so to speak) with the army. Some retire, get jobs and are never heard from again unless their old friends hunt them down and kill them. Some are double agents. And some - like Billa - joined the Bad Guys because they were thugs and still remain thugs when they change sides. Official figures say there are around 8,000 Special Police Officers working in the Kashmir Valley, of whom 300 are surrendered militants. 1,200 surrendered militants have already been appointed with the Border Security Forces. 3,000 Ikhwanis are working with various security agencies in the Valley. Around 200 counter-insurgents have rejoined the militants in the last three years. I'm curious to know if the Muslim Brotherhood is affiliated with the pan-Islamic organization of the same name. |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |