Govt planning SOP for terrorist funerals in J&K, says they need to be watched & regulated

Security forces believe the funeral processions, often of local boys, become a "fertile ground for new recruits".

File photo of security personnel at the site of suicide attack in Pulwama | PTI

New Delhi: The central government may soon come up with a standard operating procedure (SOP) for funerals of terrorists killed by security forces in Jammu and Kashmir, ThePrint has learnt.

Data available with the home ministry shows that in the last five years, 856 terrorists have been killed in Jammu and Kashmir alone.

According to a government source, the security forces believe that the funerals become a “fertile ground for new recruits” and thus need to be watched and regulated.

Following the suicide attack that killed 40 CRPF personnel who were travelling in a convoy from Jammu to Kashmir, Home Minister Rajnath Singh visited Pulwama and held a meeting with the security forces.

Among the key issues discussed at length were the review of the security situation in the state, chalking out the course of action to tackle terrorism, and checking and controlling homegrown terror, the source said.

Options on the table

“The home minister was apprised that the funerals of these terrorists who are eliminated by the forces become a breeding ground for recruits and thus need to be watched. It was discussed how the forces should keep a check and be sensitive at the same time,” the source said.

“Since a lot of these terrorists who get killed are locals, they have a local connect with the people of the area who live there. There is an emotional attachment. Their deaths not only bring grief for some, but also instigates anger towards the force, which is then taken advantage of by these terror outfits looking to recruit vulnerable youngsters,” he added.

According to the source, the government is discussing measures such as regulating the crowd by limiting the number of people attending the ceremony, enhanced deployment in the area during the ceremony, local police in plain clothes to keep a check and peaceful dispersal of the crowd.

Another government source said that since this is a sensitive issue, many options are being discussed and the SOP for the arrangement and deployment of resources on funerals may be formalised.