Kashmiri separatist leaders will no longer enjoy India's protection while rallying behind Pakistan

New Delhi: Days after the terror attack in Pulwama in which at least 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans lost their lives, the government has issued an order to withdraw all security protection and government facilities to the separatist leaders in Kashmir.

According to sources, the security cover of separatist leaders Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Abdul Ghani Bhat, Bilal Lone, Hashim Qureshi, Fazal Haq Qureshi and Shabir Shah are to be withdrawn.

According to officials, the security cover and vehicles provided to them will stand withdrawn by Sunday evening. “No security forces or cover should be provided under any pretext to the separatist leaders,” said a senior official.

The official further said that if any other facilities are being provided to these leaders by the government, they are to be withdrawn forthwith.

Also read — Pulwama terror attack: Army deploys 9 security columns in Jammu after protests

The police headquarters will review if there are any other separatists who have government security or facilities and will withdraw these immediately.

Home minister Rajnath Singh on Friday had hinted that the security cover of such Hurriyat leaders, who are in touch with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and were getting funds from the enemy country, will be taken away.

At least 40 CRPF men were killed after a Jaish-e-Mohammed suicide bomber rammed an explosive-laden car into the 55-seater bus the jawans were travelling in at Lethpora, Pulwama in South Kashmir.

Also read: Is India secretly readying for action to avenge Pulwama massacre?

The CRPF convoy of over 2,000 personnel were coming to Srinagar from Jammu after the highway opened for one-way traffic after several days of closure due to heavy snowfall and landslide.

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