200 terrorists active in J&K: GOC
Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Nov 10: Two newly recruited militants of Al-Badr were killed in an encounter in Kutpora area of South Kashmir’s Shopian district today.
A joint team of Police, Army’s 34 RR and CRPF cordoned off the area after specific input about presence of militants there.
As the troops approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon them, which was retaliated, triggering an encounter.
Police said that after initial exchange of fire, when it was found that the trapped militants are locals, they were repeatedly asked to surrender by security forces as well as by their parents. However, they turned down repeated surrender offers and fired upon, which was retaliated and in the ensuing gunfight both were killed.
They were identified as Irfan Ahmad Thoker son of Mohammed Ishaq Thoker who was missing from last three months and Umar Mushtaq son of Mushtaq Ahmad Lone who was missing from last five days, both residents
of Kutpora, Shopian Police said they were involved in recent bank robbery incident at Shopian in which over Rs 60 lakh were taken away from J&K Cash Van.
Meanwhile, internet services which were snapped soon after gunfight broke out in Shopian district have been restored.
And Army today said that 200 militants are active in J&K of which 60 militants are active in Northern districts of Kashmir, majority of whom are foreigners.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the final football match at SK Stadium Bandipora, General officer Commanding (GoC) Kilo Force Major General H S Sahi said that there are 200 militants active in J&K of which 60 are active in the Northern districts of the Valley.
“There are 50 to 60 militants active in Northern districts of Kashmir of which 40 to 45 are foreigners. The best thing is that militants aren’t able to carry out any activity since July this year and we will not allow them to do so. We will not allow the militants to disrupt the peaceful atmosphere prevailing in north Kashmir,” the GOC Kilo Force said.
He said that after successful operations against the militants in June and July this year, militants in North Kashmir are
facing leadership crisis as all their leaders were killed. Replying to a question that if the situation was so peaceful in North Kashmir, why 4-G internet is not being resorted in Bandipora, he said: “These recommendations are made at the highest level. Situation is being watched closely.”
On whether there was any concrete policy for the militants who return after quitting militancy or for those who surrender in live encounters, he said: “First surrender policy was framed in 1997 and the same was amended in 2004 and in 2010 another policy was framed for the youth who wanted to return from LoC. At present, a new policy is under the consideration of the Government and is being fine-tuned.”
About the security arrangements for the upcoming District Development Council (DDC) polls, the Army officer said that elaborate security measures will be taken to ensure peaceful polls. “All the security agencies are working in close coordination,” he said. Replying to a query regarding infiltration, the GOC Kilo Force said that two days ago, a major infiltration bid was foiled along the LoC in Machil, Kupwara, in which three militants were killed. “Reports of
possible infiltration keep on coming. There are 250 to 300 militants at the launch pads, who may try to sneak in. But our anti-militancy grid is strong both at the LoC and the hinterland. All infiltration bids will be foiled,” he said.
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