100-200 militants active in Valley: IGP
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 21: Four militants were killed in two separate encounters in Kashmir today including three in Srinagar’s old city while Inspector General of Police Kashmir range, Vijay Kumar, said that the number of active militants in Kashmir is between 100 to 200 and 106 militants have been killed this year so far. He said that there may have been some successful infiltration bids as well this year so far.
The IGP speaking to reporters at a press conference at Police Control Room Srinagar, said that late yesterday night, police received a tip off about the presence of three militants in Zonimar area of Srinagar and cordon was laid and militants were asked to surrender but they fired on troops leading to an encounter in which three militants were killed.
“Two of the three were locals and we brought their families and made repeated announcement on loudspeakers through area elders and also by the parents,” he said, adding that the hiding militants lobbed grenades and fired at the security forces, triggering an encounter.
Two among the three have been identified and their families will be allowed to participate in the last rites either in Handwara or Baramulla district of North Kashmir. “The identity of third slain is being ascertained,” he said.
The three militants have been identified as Shakoor Bhai alias Abu Dardah of Qamarwari, Shahid Bhai alias Hussain Sani of Samthan Bijbehara and Mohsin Aslam alias Yahya Sani of Anchar Soura Srinagar.
The IGP said that the slain were listed as the Islamic State of J&K militants in police records but there were reports that they had joined Hizb of late. “One AK-47 rifle and two pistols were recovered from the slain militants,” he said. He added that the operation was held in a very clean manner and there was no collateral damage for which CRPF and police deserve applause.
Asked whether Srinagar was witnessing resurgence of militancy, the IGP said if there are no anti-militancy operations taking place in any district, that doesn’t mean militancy isn’t there. “There are two active militants in Srinagar at present. Srinagar being the Central district is used by militants to receive funds and meet group leaders and other associates,” he said.
About the identity of slain militants, the IGP said one of the two local slain militants has been identified as Shakoor Farooq Langoo of Qamarwari, Srinagar. “He was involved in the killing of two BSF men at Soura and had also snatched their weapons. There were other militants also involved, but Shakoor was the one who had fired at BSF men,” Kumar said.
“This is for the first time in history that militant leadership in Kashmir stands collapsed. In the recent months, we have been able to kill all the leaders of four major outfits, Hizb, Lashkar, Jaish and Ansaar Gazwatul Hind (AGH),” he said.
About yesterday’s encounter at Kulgam, the IGP said that one militant was killed at Lokhidipora area near orchards while two others managed to flee including Waleed Bhai alias Lamboo who is from Punjab Pakistan. “Waleed Bhai is an IED expert who left behind M-4 carbine which is US made besides other ammunition,” he said.
The mobile internet services were suspended in Srinagar following the encounter and restrictions were imposed in parts of city to prevent any protests. However, protests broke out at few places but security forces quelled them.
The IGP said that the number of active militants in Kashmir is between 100 to 200 and 106 militants have been killed this year so far. He said that there may have been some successful infiltration bids as well this year so far.
He said that when he joined there were 252 active militants in Kashmir and at present the number is between 100 to 200.
“The reason for this number is that there may have been some successful infiltration bids as well this year so far,” he said. The IGP said that police doesn’t go by numbers and its job is to kill militants wherever it gets a lead about the presence of militants.
About yesterday’s incident at Kathua where BSF men shot a Hexacopter laden with arms and ammunition that include US made M-4 carbine, the IGP said the consignment was meant for “Ali Bhai”. After checking the records, we found that there was a Jaish militant active in Kulgam district whose name is Furqan and his code name is Ali Bhai. “Perhaps the consignment was meant for him,” he said.
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