A day after army chief General Bipin Rawat warned of "tough action" against those attacking the security forces during anti-militancy operations in Kashmir, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) said locals in some areas indeed helped militants on the run.?
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CRPF officials, however, acknowledged that some people did cooperate with the security forces. Home ministry officials said support by locals creates difficulties for the security forces during anti-militancy operations.?
Zulfikar Hasan, IG (Operations) of the largest paramilitary force which also handles law and order situation in Kashmir along with the J&K police, said the forces have been acting with maximum restraint in crowded areas to check any collateral damage and the residents should not succumb to threats of the militants.?
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"Our policy is that of maintaining restraint where there is a crowd and we will continue this. It only becomes a problem in certain areas when some people, who support the Over Ground Workers (OGWs), try to assist them under pressure during a security operation," Hasan told TOI.?