Two days before the Jammu and Kashmir administration is to evaluate the unrestricted social media access in the valley, Pakistan backed terror organisation Hizbul Mujahideen released its first audio clip, since Indian government repealed Article 370 in the valley, on March 14 (Saturday). This is also the first since authorities lifted restrictions on social media use for mobile users in the valley on March 4.
2 dys before unrestrictd Internet access to social media is to be re-evaluated by @JmuKmrPolice & @diprjk,top HizbulMujahideen terrorist RiyazNaikoo releases 1st audio threatening to attack para/ armed forces
— Rohan Dua (@rohanduaTOI) March 16, 2020
Makes ref to Pak PM,asks Kashmiris to NOT back PM Modi’s infra push! pic.twitter.com/LfS5uphqlM
In the 16-minute audio clip, Hizbul Chief Commander Riyaz Naikoo is heard motivating its cadres and saying that the abrogation of Article 370 will have no impact in their fight against Indian security forces and that his organisation will continue to target Indian paramilitary forces and Army personnel.
In this clip, the Hizbul chief commander makes direct references to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and asks people of Jammu and Kashmir not to back PM Modi’s development policies for Kashmir. “Roads, water, social media are not our goals… India wants to change its demography using different tricks such as Article 370 and social media ban. It’s forcing Pakistan and Kashmir to pick up arms. But we will still fight”, said the Riyaz Naikoo, one of the top 10 terrorists wanted by the Indian security forces.
It is pertinent to note here that ever since the Indian government has gone ahead to revoke Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, the Pakistan PM Imran Khan has multiple times gone on a headless rant against India. Though being shunned globally and also admitting to his failure in selling his bootless agenda to the world, Imran Khan refused to forego. In his desperation, Khan has also threatened India of another Pulwama like attack.
Pulwama attack was schemed by Pakistan based Jaish-e-Muhammad terror organisation. In a dastardly attack, a JeM terrorist had killed 40 soldiers. After the attack, JeM released a video in which the attacker was seen spewing hatred for Hindus. After Pulwama attack, Indian Air Force avenged the deaths of the Indian Bravehearts by conducting airstrikes deep inside Pakistan, in Balakot, killing about 200-300 JeM terrorists.
Meanwhile, in the audio clip, Naikoo went on to cite an example of recently released former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah besides also mentioning Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti. The Hizbul chief commander stated that the Indian government did “use and throw” these politicians.
He furthered that the world is watching the developments in Kashmir and that the Indian forces will have to leave Kashmir like how the US exited Afghanistan.
This audio came two days before the Jammu and Kashmir authorities are to evaluate the use or misuse of social media in the valley. The authorities had while restoring social media access on March 4, set a deadline to evaluate the practicality of restoring the services on March 17. Tomorrow it will be decided whether the ban on social media will be revoked or access will continue after March 17.
On February 13, Jammu and Kashmir administration had suspended mobile internet services to prevent rumours about the health of Pakistan-sponsored separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani. Some social media posts had falsely claimed the health of the 90-year-old Geelani deteriorated. On February 17, Kashmir Cyber Police had registered an FIR on the misuse of social media in the valley.
Reacting to the video, security authorities said there is not much impact of the audio. But also said that if the problem persists with the use of social media by terror ranks, security review will require a shutdown.
Responding to Hizbul Chief Commander Riyaz Naikoo’s threats, IG Kashmir said: “We have given Naikoo a reply in the form of Anantnag where four top terrorists of both Hizbul and Lashkar have been eliminated today”.
The Hizbul Chief Commander Riyaz Naikoo is an A++ category of terrorist from Pulwama and amongst the top 10 terrorists wanted by the Indian security forces. He is wanted for the killing and kidnapping of over a dozen civilians, police and special police officers between 2012 and 2020.
