SRINAGAR: Two Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) militants surrendered on Saturday morning after a brief encounter in south Kashmir district of Pulwama, where security forces killed three militants in another encounter yesterday.
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Vijay Kumar today made a fresh appeal to local militants to shun the path of violence and join the mainstream and lead a normal life.
A police spokesman said today that on a tip off about the presence of militants troops of Rashtriya Rifles (RR), Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police and CRPF launched a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) at village Lelhar in Pulwama Friday evening.
However, when the security forces were sealing the area, militants hiding there opened fire with automatic weapons, he said adding security forces also retaliated ensuing in an encounter.
He said repeated appeals were made through public address system to militants to surrender. However, after some time firing stopped from both sides and cordoned was further tightened to foil any attempt by militants to escape.
In the wee hours today, a militant tried to escape while firing on security forces, he said adding that fresh appeals to holed up militants were made. Two militants surrendered before the senior security force officers. One of the injured militant was later shifted to hospital.
Two AK 47 rifles and other arms and ammunition were recovered from the surrendered militants.
This was the first surrender by militants during encounter. Over a dozen militants surrendered during encounters in the valley last year.
Meanwhile, IGP Kumar IGP Kashmir once again made a fresh appeal to all misguided youth who have joined militancy to return their homes.
‘We will accept you with open arms’, Mr Kumar said, adding that ‘society needs you (militants) and most importantly your parents need you so return and start your new life’.
He said said that locals militants will be encouraged to surrender and lead a normal life again.
“This year our policy is clear to provide ample opportunity to local militants especially new recruits, who get trapped in the encounters, to surrender”, he said. (AGENCY)
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