Bhopal SIMI encounter: BJP slams opposition for questioning MP Police

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday came down heavily at opposition parties for questioning the veracity of the encounter in which eight Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) terrorists were killed, adding that by doing so the political outfits are doing nothing but hampering the morale of the security forces of the nation.

BJP spokesperson G.V.L Narsimha Rao said that in any other country, such endeavours are hailed but in India they have to undergo unnecessary speculation.

"In any country such a success of the security forces would be hailed by all people in public life. These people who planned an escape from the prison were involved in bomb blasts, murder, dacoit and more heinous crimes. Why should any political party criticize such an incident; they should have hailed the bravery of the security forces," Rao said.

"The Congress, AAP, JD (U) and all other parties by trying to attack, are affecting the morale of our armed forces, morale of our police forces," he added.

Meanwhile, defending its action to open fire on the eight SIMI terrorists who broke out of Bhopal Central Jail early this morning, the Madhya Pradesh Police asserted today that the escapees were neutralised in 'retaliatory' fire, adding that the suspects have been continuously perpetrating serious offences and also killed police constables in 2008 and 2011.

Bhopal Inspector General of Police Yogesh Choudhary stated all the eight SIMI terrorists were killed in cross-firing and had a track record of being involved in serious crimes before.

"We garnered all possible resources and launched search and patrol parties after we got intelligence that around 7-8 people were seen by locals. It was difficult to locate them as the unequal terrain was a disadvantage, but soon our team was fired upon when we challenged the suspects," he said.

Following the encounter, all eight suspects were found dead and weapons including knives and local-made pistols were also recovered from them.

Talking about the row over the unverified encounter video that has now become viral where the cops are seen opening fire on the escapees, the top cop said that they will have to look at the veracity of the video.

"It was a case of open environment and we will take all matters in consideration as the probe progresses. It is part of our investigation to figure out how they procured weapons after they escaped prison as 3 of our personnel were injured with sharp weapons," he added.

Urging the opposition not to politicise the encounter that ensued after eight SIMI terrorists broke out of Bhopal Central Jail early this morning, the Madhya Pradesh Government backed its police force saying they had no choice and added that this incident would be thoroughly probed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Talking about the row over the unverified encounter video that has now become viral where the cops are seen opening fire on the escapees, Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Bhupendra Singh told ANI that the police did not have any choice at the moment and had to react immediately.

"Our Madhya Pradesh Police has achieved a great success by foiling a possible terror threat to the nation. When there is an encounter, the police have no other option but to open fire. Why is why this case has been handed over to the NIA so that a proper probe can be conducted," Singh said.

The Home Ministry has asked details on the escape of eight SIMI activists from Bhopal central jail last night and has also asked for whether there was any lapse on the part of the jail administration and the steps taken to check such incidents.