The terrorists first struck the Ellaquai Dehati Bank at Wahibug in Pulwama and looted Rs 4.9 lakh on Wednesday. Two hours later, they barged into the J&K Bank at Nihama and looted Rs 1.3 lakh cash before escaping.
Terrorists on Wednesday targeted two banks in south Kashmir's Pulwama district within a span of two hours and decamped with Rs 6 lakh. In the past 24 hours, terrorists have looted three banks in different parts of South Kashmir.
The terrorists first struck the Ellaquai Dehati Bank at Wahibug in Pulwama and looted Rs 4.9 lakh on Wednesday. Two hours later, they barged into the J&K Bank at Nihama and looted Rs 1.3 lakh cash before escaping.
On Tuesday, pistol-borne terrorists stormed the Ellaquai Dehati Bank in Kader Yaripora village of Kulgam district and looted over Rs 65,000.
Terrorists on Monday attacked a cash van of Jammu and Kashmir Bank and killed seven people, including five policemen and two employees, besides looting four self-loading rifles at Pumai village of Kulgam district.
However, there was no cash in the van since it was returning after distributing the money to the branches.
"They (terrorists) have been targeting the banks ever since they faced cash crush following demonetization last year. Terrorists require money for so many activities including for buying high-end cellphones," Rayees Mohommad Bhat, superintendent of police, Pulwama, told DNA.
Figures reveal that around 10 banks have been looted since November last year. These include four in Pulwama, two in Shopian, two in Kulgam, one each in Budgam and Kishtwar.
Last year's demonetization has hit terrorists and their associates hard and they are facing cash crunch.
Sources said the terrorists require huge money to pay their cadres and buying logistics.
"Earlier, only Lashkar-e-Toiba was involved in looting banks, but now Hizbul Mujhadeen too is resorting to it to feed their cadres.
Last month, two top terrorists of Lashkar-e-Tioba were killed in Padgampora village of Budgam district. One of the terrorists Abu Ali, a Pakistan national, was the prime accused of the bank robberies in Pulwama district.
It is not only the banks which are on the radar of the militants in south Kashmir. For the last few months militants have been on looting spree of the weapons of policemen to replenish their depleting arsenal.
Meanwhile, terrorists on Tuesday night entered the district court complex Shopian and disarmed five policemen before decamping with four INSAS and one AK 47 rifles. All the five cops have been suspended by the police.
"Definitely they are falling short of weapon. When they snatch a weapon they do not have ammunition. They snatch a weapon which may carry one magazine. Once they use the bullets, the weapon becomes useless. They need ammunition and they are trying to get better weapons. For example if they looted SLR last year, they would try to get AK 47 this year," said Rayees.
Seemingly rattled by the bank looting, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti appealed the people particularly youth to help and support the government to stop this death and destruction.
"What are we doing? We need to think what we are achieving by this robbery and bloodbath. There can't be misfortune than this. There can't be misfortune than this. I appeal all people particularly the youth and children that J&K I s yours and work for its betterment and help us in stopping this destruction," said Mehbooba.
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