J&K administration withdraws security of 5 separatist leaders including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq

"No security cover will be provided under any pretext to these five leaders and other separatists," the officials have said.

The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Sunday has withdrawn security of five separatist leaders including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. (AFP)

New Delhi: The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Sunday has withdrawn security of five separatist leaders including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. Besides Farooq, the Government has issued orders of withdrawing all security and any government facilities provided to Abdul Ghani Bhat, Bilal Lone, Hashim Qureshi and Shabir Shah. However, there is no mention of pro-Pakistan separatist Syed Ali Shah Geelani in the order. "No security cover will be provided under any pretext to these five leaders and other separatists," the officials have said. All security and any vehicles provided to them will stand withdrawn by today evening. No security forces or cover should be provided, under any pretext, to them or any other separatists. If they have any other facilities provided by the government, they are to be withdrawn forthwith. PHQ will review if there are any other separatists who have Government security or facilities and will withdraw these immediately, the officials said. Home Minister Rajnath Singh, during his visit to Srinagar on Friday, had said security given to people getting funds from Pakistan and its snooping agency ISI should be reviewed. "Some elements in Jammu and Kashmir have links with the ISI and terrorist organisations. Their security should be reviewed," he had said after reviewing security in the aftermath of the dastardly terror attack in South Kashmir's Pulwama district. At least 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed and many were injured on Thursday in one of the deadliest terror strikes in Jammu and Kashmir when a Jaish-e-Mohammad suicide bomber blew up an explosive-laden vehicle near their bus in Pulwama district. The bus was part of a convoy of 78 vehicles carrying CRPF personnel from Jammu to Srinagar.